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The invention of the experiment

1.[3p]

For a uniformly magnetised sphere the dip satisfies tan(dip) = 2 tan(latitude). What dip, in degrees, does that predict at London's latitude of 51.5 degrees?

CorrectNot quite: 68.3

2.[3p]

What did Gilbert's terrella establish?

Correct
The answer is: That the compass responds to the earth itself, which behaves as a great magnet, rather than to anything in the sky
The answer is: That the compass responds to the earth itself, which behaves as a great magnet, rather than to anything in the sky
The answer is: That the compass responds to the earth itself, which behaves as a great magnet, rather than to anything in the sky

3.[3p]

Gellibrand's comparison of London declination in 1580, 1622 and 1634 showed the direction drifting steadily westward. Why did that matter?

Correct
The answer is: A permanently magnetised stone cannot change its direction, so the earth's magnetism must have a moving source
The answer is: A permanently magnetised stone cannot change its direction, so the earth's magnetism must have a moving source
The answer is: A permanently magnetised stone cannot change its direction, so the earth's magnetism must have a moving source

4.[3p]

Take the left ventricle to expel 0.25 ounces per beat over 1000 beats in half an hour. How many pounds of blood leave the heart in that half hour, at 16 ounces to the pound?

CorrectNot quite: 15.6

5.[3p]

Why is Harvey's calculation strong even though every figure in it is a rough guess?

Correct
The answer is: The figures were chosen pessimistically, so the conclusion survives being wrong about them by a large factor
The answer is: The figures were chosen pessimistically, so the conclusion survives being wrong about them by a large factor
The answer is: The figures were chosen pessimistically, so the conclusion survives being wrong about them by a large factor

6.[2p]

Harvey saw the capillaries joining the smallest arteries to the smallest veins, which completed his argument.

The answer is: False
Correct

7.[3p]

Match each figure to what they contributed.

  • William Gilbert

  • William Harvey

  • Francis Bacon

  • Marcello Malpighi

  • a magnetised sphere on the bench standing in for the earth

  • the microscope observation of capillaries in a frog's lung

  • an arithmetic of cardiac output that destroyed Galen's account

  • a programme for organising knowledge as a collective enterprise

Show the answer

William Gilbert: a magnetised sphere on the bench standing in for the earth William Harvey: an arithmetic of cardiac output that destroyed Galen's account Francis Bacon: a programme for organising knowledge as a collective enterprise Marcello Malpighi: the microscope observation of capillaries in a frog's lung

8.[3p]

Which of these are fair charges against Bacon's method as he specified it?

Select all that apply

Correct
Correct
Correct
The answer is: There is no theory-free collection of instances, since choosing comparable cases is already theoretical, He rejected both the Copernican system and Gilbert's magnetic earth, He had no use for mathematics

9.[2p]

What extra premise does an argument from a model like the terrella carry that a demonstration on a living arm does not?

Correct
The answer is: That the model is relevantly like the thing it stands in for
The answer is: That the model is relevantly like the thing it stands in for
The answer is: That the model is relevantly like the thing it stands in for