The Culture of Science The Nature of Scientific Knowledge: What is it and why should we trust it? by Anthony Carpi, Ph.D., Anne E. Egger, Ph.D. Reading Quiz Teach with this An important component of the scientific process is that the findings of science are absolute. testable. true. uncertain. We could be certain that the Earth was round only after pictures of the planet were taken from space in 1968. true false How did the Second Law of Thermodynamics contribute to our understanding of the age of the universe? It suggested that the universe must be finite in age. It suggested that the universe is infinitely old. It suggested that the universe must be finite in size. It suggested that the universe is contracting. Study the line spectra in Section 1 of the image. This spectrum represents the normal emission lines for elements traditionally found in stars (H, He, Ca, Na, etc.). The two sets of line spectra in Section 2 represent the observed spectra for stars SN1 and SN2. What can be said about the movement of these stars based on these spectra? Both stars are moving toward the observer; however, SN2 is moving faster. Both stars are moving toward the observer; however, SN2 is moving slower. Both stars are moving away from the observer; however, SN2 is moving faster. Both stars are moving away from the observer; however, SN2 is moving slower. Edwin Hubble created the figure below from a combination of his and Vesto Slipher's research data. What does the data in the figure show? The stars are receding from one another. The universe is expanding. The velocity of a star is directly proportional to its distance. Star brightness is a function of velocity. Einstein incorrectly believed that the universe was static because his theory of relativity predicted a static universe. true false Which of the following statements BEST describes the process by which we have come to understand the age of the universe? Scientists have worked independently to test and answer unique questions using only their own data. Scientists have identified a single way to measure the age of the universe. The age of the universe cannot be known through scientific means. Over time, newer studies have built upon, revised, and improved our understanding of the age of the universe. Score Quiz