20120326

Astronomy current events question: Daya Bay Nuclear Reactor neutrino experiment

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2012
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)
Clara Moskowitz, "Exotic Antimatter Caught in Disappearing Act," March 9, 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46681972/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.T3ERWWLLw0V
Measurements of transforming electron antineutrinos from nuclear reactors in China may help explain why:
(A) cold fusion is impossible.
(B) there is more matter than antimatter in the universe.
(C) recent solar flares are not as dangerous as expected.
(D) only three spatial dimensions exist.
(E) electrons have negative charge.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 36 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 5 students

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