Over time, non-specialists are usually able to assimilate radically new scientific ideas, even though these ideas may seem strange when they are initially introduced. Such was the case with Newtonian physics; when Newton proposed his ideas regarding motion and gravitation in the seventeenth century, they were denounced as unreasonable even by other leading physicists. Eventually, however, Newton’s ideas were generally assimilated. Such will also prove to be the case with quantum mechanics, a twentieth-century science that deals with the behavior of matter and light on the subatomic scale. Eventually, the novelty of quantum mechanics will no longer act as a bar to the comprehension of this theory by the non-specialist.

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8) The author of the passage assumes which of the following about quantum mechanics in relation to previous scientific theories?
A) Quantum mechanics is not inherently more difficult for the non-specialist than previous scientific theories.
B) Quantum mechanics has generated less controversy among specialists than previous scientific theories.
C) Quantum mechanics is more important to the history of science than previous scientific theories.
D) Quantum mechanics has more important practical applications than previous scientific theories.

What is YOUR thinking on this?

Sra

What indicates "less controversy"? Try again.

C) Quantum mechanics is more important to the history of science than previous scientific theories.

The answer to this question can be found by analyzing the passage and understanding the author's assumptions. The author suggests that over time, non-specialists are usually able to understand radical new scientific ideas, even if they initially seem strange. The author gives the example of Newtonian physics, which was initially denounced but eventually assimilated by non-specialists. The author then states that the same will prove to be the case with quantum mechanics.

Based on this, we can infer that the author assumes that quantum mechanics is not inherently more difficult for the non-specialist than previous scientific theories. This is because the author compares quantum mechanics to Newtonian physics and suggests that both will eventually be assimilated by non-specialists. Therefore, the correct answer is A) Quantum mechanics is not inherently more difficult for the non-specialist than previous scientific theories.