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 sarae
  • Posts: 80
  • Joined: Aug 10, 2013
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#10865
why is answer choice C incorrect? In lines 36-46 it explains that during Curie's time the physicists and chemists had opposing views
 Ron Gore
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 220
  • Joined: May 15, 2013
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#10875
Hi sarae,

While you are correct that the passage in the lines you referenced says there was a debate in the scientific community, that debate was not about the causes of radiation. Instead, the passage says "the nature of the atom was still being debated." The passage details the differing views of physicists and chemists regarding the nature of the atom, but does not describe rival theories in the scientific community at that time regarding the cause of radiation.

Answer (A) is correct, because it is supported by the third and fourth sentences of passage.

Thanks,

Ron
 sarae
  • Posts: 80
  • Joined: Aug 10, 2013
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#10896
thanks!
 rpark8214
  • Posts: 23
  • Joined: Apr 27, 2017
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#34785
Hi,
For answer choice (D), are we supposed to assume that research was conducted because the nature of the atom was being debated (lines 36-37)? I understood the passage to be implying that research regarding the question of matter and atoms was not conducted because researchers "were not ultimately concerned with this question" (44-46). The passage never claims there wasn't research, but I cannot find concrete evidence to support the contention that there was research. Your input is appreciated! Thanks
 Emily Haney-Caron
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 577
  • Joined: Jan 12, 2012
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#34993
Hi rpark8214,

Thanks for the question! You're actually not supposed to assume anything one way or the other about whether research was being conducted about matter being composed of atoms, and that's the point here; the passage doesn't tell you anything that allows you to infer anything either way! You don't need to find something in the passage that shows that research was being conducted in order to rule out D. All you need to do is recognize that nothing in the passage allows you to infer it wasn't being conducted. I hope that helps!

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