4 mins 57 secs... all correct! Wohooo
The kind of passage that I like...straightforward and well written with some information to learn at the end of it.
Classical physics defines a vacuum as an absence of stuff. But quantum field theories define it in more complicated terms. In normal vacuum some particles are created and they disintegrate really fast (so much so that we cannot even observe them!) this is still vacuum but not as defined by classical phy. So now vacuum is anything without "real" particles.
Suddenly, the passage starts talking about the energy of vacuum and states we ought to assume it to have the lowest possible energy. Goes on to add when a normal particle is added to vacuum its energy rises and these fluctuations ( electron-positron created and then destroyed) however, A surprising result of some recent theoretical investigations says that sometimes when particle added - energy reduces! This is said to happen when vacuum is permeated by a strong electric field and in such cases, electron-positron are created but this time they do not self-destruct and hence are real.
Finally, passage talks about how this "theoretical" finding can possibly be tested. If vacuum was next to an atomic nucleus with twice the protons than currently found in nature and reveals that experiments are being carried out to conduct such an experiment.
Really weird question if you do not understand the main point - vacuum is being discussed with two aspects in mind - normal vacuum (with its fluctuations) and special vacuum decay by being next to nucleus and possible theory being confirmed by experimentWhich of the following titles best describes the passage as a whole? (A) The Vacuum: Its Fluctuations and Decay
Crystal clear choice among the given options(B) The Vacuum: Its Creation and Instability
No, the creation of vacuum is out of scope.(C) The Vacuum: A State of Absence
TRAP? only the first line could lead to this one but does not summarize the passage well(D) Particles That Materialize in the Vacuum
too detailed to be the title(E) Classical Physics and the Vacuum
TRAP - even though this is the start - we are talking about other things throughout the passageCleverly worded detail questionAccording to the passage, the assumption that the introduction of a real particle into a vacuum raises the total energy of that region of space has been cast into doubt by which of the following? (A) Findings from laboratory experiments
Nope, the finding is based on theory and we are trying to conduct experiments to verify it.(B) Findings from observational field experiments
Discard for same as above(C) Accidental observations made during other experiments
Again, no observations.(D) Discovery of several erroneous propositions is accepted theories
Again, no discoveries from erroneous propositions - not mentioned.(E) Predictions based on theoretical' work
Perfect - verbatim from the passageOptions on this one are tricky because they have two parts - charged vacuum and particles - we need to be clear that a charged vacuum "decays" and creates "real" particlesIt can be inferred from the passage that scientists are currently making efforts to observe which of the following events? (A) The decay of a vacuum in the presence of virtual particles
Nope - decay is in the presence of a charge and results in real particles(B) The decay of a vacuum next to a superheavy atomic nucleus
Right - even though this has less info than the other options this is correct(C) The creation of a superheavy atomic nucleus next to an intense electric field
180 opposite choice - we are not creating the atomic nucleus ( even if we are that is not the point, it is only a means to an end)(D) The creation of a virtual electron and a virtual positron as a result of fluctuations of a vacuum
similar to option one(E) The creation of a charged vacuum in which only real electrons can be created in the vacuum's region of space
MAJOR TRAP - a lot of words that we are looking for but again not the crux of what is happening in the experiment - we are doing the experiment for "decay of vacuum"We are looking for the following structure: Theoretical finding -> possible in real-world -> requires some experiment to possibly confirm itPhysicists' recent investigations of the decay of the vacuum, as described in the passage, most closely resemble which of the following hypothetical events in other disciplines? (A) On the basis of data gathered in a carefully controlled laboratory experiment, a chemist predicts and then demonstrates the physical properties of a newly synthesized polymer.
Again , data gathered first is reverse of what we are trying to do.(B) On the basis of manipulations of macroeconomic theory, an economist predicts that, contrary to accepted economic theory, inflation and unemployment will both decline under conditions of rapid economic growth.
The first few words are a giveaway and the rest of the option confirms. Still, we need to look at other options and rule them out (C) On the basis of a rereading of the texts of Jane Austen's novels, a literary critic suggests that, contrary to accepted literary interpretations, Austen's plots were actually metaphors for political events in early nineteenth-century England.
Rereading of texts is not a theoretical finding - discard.(D) On the basis of data gathered in carefully planned observations of several species of birds, a biologist proposes a modification in the accepted theory of interspecies competition.
Data gathered first - discard fast (E) On the basis of a study of observations incidentally recorded in ethnographers' descriptions of non-Western societies, an anthropologist proposes a new theory of kinship relations.
Discard fast for same reason as above.finally a straightforward question from the passageAccording to the passage, the author considers the reduction of energy in an empty region of space to which a real particle has been added to be (A) a well-known process
not at all. 180 opposite(B) a frequent occurrence
same as above(C) a fleeting aberration
fleeting word is TRAP - the real particles created are long lasting - abberation again is clumsy - it is surprising find.(D) an unimportant event
then why would we discuss it? Not mentioned so discard.(E) an unexpected outcome
Perfect - infact this is verbatim from the passage ( marked in purple above) Easy-cheesy detail question According to the passage, virtual particles differ from real particles in which of the following ways? I. Virtual particles have extremely short lifetimes.
CORRECT II. Virtual particles are created in an intense electric field.
OPPOSITEIII. Virtual particles cannot be detected directly.
CORRECT(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) Ill only
(D) I and II only
(E) I and III only
Tick.Start your critical reasoning engine - we want to look out for anything that goes against the theory mentionedThe author's assertions concerning the conditions that lead to the decay of the vacuum would be most weakened if which of the following occurred? (A) Scientists created an electric field next to a vacuum, but found that the electric field was not intense enough to create a charged vacuum.
Not against the theory - discard(B) Scientists assembled a superheavy atomic nucleus next to a vacuum, but found that no virtual particles were created in the vacuum's region of space.
TRAP - we are not looking for virtual particles at all - but for real ones. Discard.(C) Scientists assembled a superheavy atomic nucleus next to a vacuum, but found that they could not then detect any real particles in the vacuum's region of space.
PERFECT - a needle in a haystack - need to stay focussed and look out for what we know about the theory and then negate it.(D) Scientists introduced a virtual electron and a virtual positron into a vacuum's region of space, but found that the vacuum did not then fluctuate.
Opposite of what makes up the experiment. Discard.(E) Scientists introduced a real electron and a real positron into a vacuum's region of space, but found that the total energy of the space increased by the energy equivalent of the mass of the particles.
Discard for same reason as above!Phew! That was one long post. Hope the explanations are helpful.