power score arguments example -6

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agautam: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 7:27 am

by agautam » Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:42 am

This is a CR question which is in the examples for the book - Power Score Critical Reasoning

"If the relativity theory is correct, no object can travel forward in time at a speed greater than the speed of light.Yet in quantum mechanics predicts that the tachyon a hypothetical subatomic particle , travels faster than light. Thus, if the relativity theory is correct , either the quantum mechanics prediction about the tachyons is erroneous or tachyons travels back ward in time." - power scrore - critical reasoning .

I believe that the argument is weak because in one of the premises we are talking about the object in reference to relativity but in the other premise we are talking about "hypothetical subatomic particle" and hence I don't think the two are comparable.

Please comment on the same and provide reason for your ans.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:42 am

fitzgerald23: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 219; Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:51 pmFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 62 times; GMAT Score:750

by fitzgerald23 » Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:18 pm

The passage is comparing two different theories and likely the question will ask you to draw a conclusion on the information. Dont get wrapped up in all the fancy words like tachyon. The real comparison is on theories not objects.

Here is what you need to know to answer whatever they ask you:

1. Relativity theory states no object can travel forward in time at a speed faster than the speed of light
2. Quantum mechanics states that a specific object travels faster than light.

Those two statements contradict one another. So in order to resolve the contradiction one of these two things have to be true assuming the relativity theory is correct:

1. Quantum theory is wrong because an object can not travel faster than the speed of light according to relativity OR
2. The specific object travels backwards in time(remember we are told that relativity only applies to going forward in time) and both theories are valid.

Understanding those concepts will give you a good chance at answering whatever the questions are.

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