Why is it important to realize that there is background radiation? Explain
What will be an ideal response?
Many ordinary citizens have an unfounded fear of radiation as a great unknown,
possibly fed by terms such as "x ray," which refer to the original unknown character of the
radiation. It is only human to be afraid of the unknown.
As we see in this chapter, radiation is a normal part of the environment. It may be scary, but
it has been there for everyone's entire lifetimes, and in larger amounts than are allowed for
civilian exposure by environmental regulations.
People who gain the knowledge that radiation is natural and has been part of what created
human beings in the first place may become more rational about radiation and consider the
pluses and minuses in a more rational fashion.
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The Copernican (heliocentric) model explained things better than the Ptolemaic (geocentric) model, except:
a. it did not explain the relative positions of stars as seen from Earth at different times of year. b. it did not explain why Mercury is always near the Sun. c. it was conceptually more complex than the Ptolemaic model. d. it did not explain planetary motion clearly. e. it required a great deal more mathematical calculation.
How many Torino 2 asteroids are known to exist?
a. 0 b. <5 c. 5-10 d. >10
Two cars start at the same point, but travel in opposite directions on a circular path of radius R, each at speed v. While each car travels a distance less than 
, one quarter circle, the center of mass of the two cars
A. remains at the initial point. B. travels along a diameter of the circle at speed v' v. E. remains at the center of the circle.
Three horses are side-by-side on a merry-go-round: one at the edge, one near the axis, and one in between. Each horse has the same angular speed. Which horse has the greatest linear speed?
A. The horse nearest the axis B. The horse in the middle C. The horse at the edge D. The linear speed is the same for all three horses