#21 - Except

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

The correct answer choice is (D).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[landphil]

I picked C, but can someone help me understand how D is not wrong?

Can we not say Planck made important contributions to wave theory by getting rid of one of its underlying assumptions?

How is that not contributing to wave theory?

[coffee123]

I have the same question as landphil :/

[Jeff Wren]

Hi landfil and coffee,

Answer D is quite tricky.

First, it's important to note that the "classical wave theory" mentioned in Answer D refers to the specific theory discussed in the passage beginning in paragraph one and not some general field of radiation study.

Second, the word "contributions" has several definitions, but one that is most relevant to this answer and passage would be "the part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance" (my emphasis).

In the beginning of paragraph three, the passage does state that Max Planck "had made important contributions to wave theory" (lines 32-33), but does not go on to elaborate on what those contributions were. Instead, the passage moves on to when Planck discarded one of the assumptions underlying wave theory. This part is not describing one his contributions to wave theory. In fact, it is describing when Planck "broke with" (line 35), or parted ways with, wave theory.

As discussed in logical reasoning, assumptions are ideas that are absolutely necessary for arguments, theories, etc.. To remove an assumption of a theory is not to help the theory (or to "contribute" to it), but to attack/destroy it. Even the passage describes the theory's assumption as "fundamental" (line 7). If the assumption turns out to be wrong (which it did), then the theory was wrong. While the passage could have made this more explicit, Planck didn't just alter/modify/improve the classical wave theory, he directly contradicted it.

There are some words in the passage that provide some clues, such as "obstacles" (line 3), "challenge" (line 13), "catastrophe" (line 31), "broke with wave theory" (line 35), and "directly opposed" (line 44).

Also, the correct answer to question 22, Answer B, describes "the overthrowing of that theory," (my emphasis) which is referring to classical wave radiation theory. We generally wouldn't describe overthrowing something as contributing to that thing.

In short, while the passage mentions that Planck had made contributions to wave theory, it does not provide information on those contributions and the discussion that follows in paragraph three about Planck discarding the assumption of wave theory is not considered one of those contributions.

[coffee123]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your answer! That is a much more helpful explanation than I have seen from elsewhere. Really appreciate it!

[landphil]

Hi Jeff,

Super helpful, especially the bit about the fact that answer choice D states "classical" wave theory and not wave theory in general. Thank you for such a thoughtful and helpful response!

Hi landfil and coffee,

Answer D is quite tricky.

First, it's important to note that the "classical wave theory" mentioned in Answer D refers to the specific theory discussed in the passage beginning in paragraph one and not some general field of radiation study.

Second, the word "contributions" has several definitions, but one that is most relevant to this answer and passage would be "the part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance" (my emphasis).

In the beginning of paragraph three, the passage does state that Max Planck "had made important contributions to wave theory" (lines 32-33), but does not go on to elaborate on what those contributions were. Instead, the passage moves on to when Planck discarded one of the assumptions underlying wave theory. This part is not describing one his contributions to wave theory. In fact, it is describing when Planck "broke with" (line 35), or parted ways with, wave theory.

As discussed in logical reasoning, assumptions are ideas that are absolutely necessary for arguments, theories, etc.. To remove an assumption of a theory is not to help the theory (or to "contribute" to it), but to attack/destroy it. Even the passage describes the theory's assumption as "fundamental" (line 7). If the assumption turns out to be wrong (which it did), then the theory was wrong. While the passage could have made this more explicit, Planck didn't just alter/modify/improve the classical wave theory, he directly contradicted it.

There are some words in the passage that provide some clues, such as "obstacles" (line 3), "challenge" (line 13), "catastrophe" (line 31), "broke with wave theory" (line 35), and "directly opposed" (line 44).

Also, the correct answer to question 22, Answer B, describes "the overthrowing of that theory," (my emphasis) which is referring to classical wave radiation theory. We generally wouldn't describe overthrowing something as contributing to that thing.

In short, while the passage mentions that Planck had made contributions to wave theory, it does not provide information on those contributions and the discussion that follows in paragraph three about Planck discarding the assumption of wave theory is not considered one of those contributions.