Whenever a star transforms into a supernova, it exhibits surges of act...
Whenever a star transforms into a supernova, it exhibits surges of activity prior to the transformation. The star LV-426 has recently been exhibiting signs of turbulent activity. In the past, scientists speculated over whether LV-426 could become a supernova, but dismissed the possibility since the star was dormant for a prolonged period of time. Given the star’s recent activity, it is now certain that LV-426 will explode in to a supernova.
Which of the following would it be most useful to determine in order to evaluate the argument?
Argument Analysis
Pre-Thinking
Conclusion Clarification
The author’s conclusion that it is now certain LV-426 will explode into a supernova is based on the fact that the otherwise dormant star has been recently exhibiting signs of turbulent activities. The author has correlated this fact with the other fact that whenever the transformation from a star to a supernova occurs, there are surges of activity.
Pre-Thinking Approach
In order to evaluate the linkage, we’ll pre-think some assumptions made by the author and ask questions that will help evaluate whether the given assumption warrants the conclusion drawn. To do so, let’s look at linkage 1 and understand the conditions under which the conclusion doesn't hold. The assumption then will be that these conditions don’t exist.
Linkage#1 –
Falsification Condition: What if the surge of activity is for some other reason, i.e. what if the turbulent activities in a star are not actually signs that the star will transform into a supernova but are indicative of some other transformation? In that case the linkage would not hold. Accordingly the assumption is that:
- Assumption: Turbulent activity in a star is seen only when a star transforms into a supernova.
With this understanding in mind, let's move on to the answer choice analysis.
Answer Choices
A
Whether LV-426 is of the same size as other stars that have exploded into supernovas
Incorrect – Irrelevant
The passage does not talk about the size of stars and there is no given link between the size of a star and its likelihood of transforming into a supernova.
B
Whether other stars that became supernovas also exhibited periods of dormancy
Incorrect – Irrelevant
The argument does not link the transformation of a star into a supernova and a period of dormancy it may go through.
C
Whether turbulent activity can indicate that a star is about to transform into an entity other than supernova
Correct
This choice is written along the lines of our pre-thinking. It questions whether turbulent activity in a star can be a sign of something other than an impending transformation of the star into a supernova.
D
Whether a period of dormancy can reduce a star’s core temperature to a level at which the star can no longer exhibit surface-level activity
Incorrect – Irrelevant
First of all, we already know that in the case of LV-426, the star that had been dormant has now exhibited turbulent activity. Secondly, and more importantly, the main concern is regarding what can occur after the turbulent activity and not about the circumstances in which such activities may be absent.
E
Whether the scientists who studied LV-426 in the past considered the possibility that the star’s period of dormancy may not last
Incorrect – Irrelevant
Since this option deals with past speculations, it does not address the prediction that has been made on the basis of the current situation of the star.