Victor Hess — Questions and answers

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What was Victor Hess's mission when he flew his balloon?

Choices

  1. To measure the temperature of the air.
  2. To find out why the air was always electrically charged. ✓
  3. To discover new types of balloons.
  4. To visit the country of Bohemia.

Answer: To find out why the air was always electrically charged.

From page 1

What did scientists believe caused the air to be electrically charged BEFORE Victor Hess's flights?

Choices

  1. Strong winds from space.
  2. Natural radioactivity from Earth's crust. ✓
  3. Electricity from power lines.
  4. Sunlight hitting the atmosphere.

Answer: Natural radioactivity from Earth's crust.

From page 2

Why did Victor Hess often fly his balloon at night or during a solar eclipse?

Choices

  1. Because it was cooler in the evenings.
  2. To avoid interference from sunlight. ✓
  3. To see the stars more clearly.
  4. He enjoyed flying in the dark.

Answer: To avoid interference from sunlight.

From page 3

What surprising thing did Victor Hess discover about ionization above 1,000 meters?

Choices

  1. It completely disappeared.
  2. It stayed the same as at sea level.
  3. It began to increase a lot. ✓
  4. It became much colder.

Answer: It began to increase a lot.

From page 4

What did Victor Hess first call the mysterious radiation he discovered?

Choices

  1. Sky Waves
  2. Deep Space Energy
  3. Höhenstrahlung ✓
  4. Earth's Glow

Answer: Höhenstrahlung

From page 5

What important award did Victor Hess receive for discovering cosmic rays?

Choices

  1. A medal from the President.
  2. The Nobel Prize in Physics. ✓
  3. A special science trophy.
  4. The World Explorer Award.

Answer: The Nobel Prize in Physics.

From page 9