Reading Comprehension

source: McGraw Hill's Conquering GMAT Verbal and writing


Newton's surprising success at developing the laws of motion, as
well as the development and re�nement of other physical laws, led to
the idea of scienti�c determinism. The �rst expression of this prin-
ciple was in the beginning of the nineteenth century by Laplace,
a French scientist. Laplace argued that if one knew the position
and velocity of all the particles in the universe at a given time,
the laws of physics would be able to predict the future state of the
universe.
Scienti�c determinism held sway over a great many scientists
until the early twentieth century, when the quantum mechanics rev-
olution occurred. Quantum mechanics introduced the world to the
idea of the uncertainty principle, which stated that it was impos-
sible to accurately measure both the position and the velocity of
a particle at one time. Because Laplace's omniscience could never
occur, even in theory, the principle of scienti�c determinism was
thrown into doubt. However, quantum mechanics does allow for a
reduced form of scienti�c determinism. Even though physicists are
unable to know precisely where a particle is and what its veloc-
ity is, they can determine certain probabilities about its position
and velocity. These probabilities are called wave functions. By use
of a formula known as the Schrodinger equation, a scientist with
the wave function of a particle at a given time can calculate the
particle's future wave function. These calculations can give the par-
ticle's position or velocity, but not both. Thus, the physicist is
in possession of exactly half of the information needed to satisfy
Laplace's view of determinism. Unfortunately, under modern physics
theories, that is far as any researcher can go in predicting the
future.

Which of the following best describes the organization of the
passage?
A. A paradox is introduced, competing explanations are offered, and
a �nal resolution is reached.
B. Two opposing theories are introduced, critiqued, and reconciled.
C. An idea is introduced, its validity is questioned, and its applica-
tion quali�ed.
D. A theory is introduced, its mathematical basis is examined, and
it is rejected.
E. An argument is made, an objection to it is detailed, and the
argument is revised.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the
author's conclusion in the passage's �nal sentence?
A. Some physicists believe quantum mechanics will eventually be
discarded in favor of a new theory.
B. Physicists still use Newton's laws of motion to calculate the
velocities and positions of planets and stars.
C. Even if the position and velocity of a particle were known, pre-
dicting the future would be impossible because there are too
many other variables to calculate.
D. There is little to no chance that the modern theory of quantum
mechanics will be overturned by another theory.
E. No scientists are pursuing studies in the �eld of determinism.

[spoiler]
OA is C and D respectively[/spoiler]

If you choose a choice please explain why.