Question

Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the passage? Every fusion reaction releases neutrinos. To test a hypothesis about the frequency
of fusion reactions in the Sun, physicists calculated the number of neutrinos the
Sun would produce annually if the hypothesis were correct. From this they
estimated how many neutrinos should pass through a particular location on Earth.
The fact that far fewer neutrinos were counted than were predicted to pass
through the location would seem to prove that the hypothesis is wrong, except
that------.

• A. \( \text{Physicists confirmed estimate with another method.} \)
• B. \( \text{Several hypotheses compete on solar fusion.} \)
• C. \( \text{Sun lacks energy to destroy neutrinos.} \)
• D. Method detects only about 10% of neutrinos.
• E. \( \text{Other stars' neutrinos also reach Earth.} \)

Hint:

Look for a detection flaw explanation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Argument: Fewer neutrinos counted than predicted suggests hypothesis wrong.
Step 2: Needs reason fewer were counted despite correct hypothesis.
Step 3: (D) explains low count due to detection limit, not hypothesis.
Step 4: Others (A, B, C, E) don’t address detection issue.