In this task you will be using your scientific investigation skills.
You have arrived on a bizarre alien planet where the only objects you can see are colored cones clumped into small groups in an otherwise empty landscape.
Figure 1 - Bizarre alien planet.
You have brought a scientific measuring device. It can be tuned to detect different types of radiation. At particular settings, it reveals that some of the clumps of cones emit colorful radiation, while others do not do not.
Figure 2 - Testing for radiation. Only the arrangement on the left emits this kind of radiation.
Your job is to come up with experiments to help work out what makes a set of cones emit radiation.
Instructions
There are a few kinds of radiation for which we have already established the cause.
Study the list below to help you get started. For each type of radiation we give several examples. The examples with the yellow stars do emit this kind of radiation, those with white stars do not.
Alpha waves: Whenever there is at least one small cone
Beta waves: If all cones are all the same color
Delta waves: If none of the cones are touching
Gamma waves: If all the cones point in the same direction
Epsilon waves: If there is a a blue cone that is larger than any red cones
So, as you can see, the radiation works quite differently here than on Earth. It might be caused by many different things such as the cones' number, sizes, colors, positions, orientations, as well as more complicated relationships between them.
Instructions
To design your own experiments you will add pieces to the world using a construction interface. Watch the video below to see how this works. Note you must watch the video before you can continue to the next page.
In the interface you can:
Press buttons at the bottom to add cones
Move the cones around by picking them up with the mouse (left clicking and holding)
Turn them using the "Z" (counterclockwise) and "X" (clockwise) keys
Right click on them to remove them (command + click if you are using mac trackpad)
When you are ready, click ``Test'' to measure your chosen arrangement and see if it is emitting radiation at the current frequency. If the arrangement follows the rule you will see stars rising to the top of the screen. Otherwise nothing will happen. You will be able to see your previous tests and their outcomes at the top of the screen. Yellow stars indicate tests in which radiation was emitted.
Instructions
After your experiments, you will be tested on the cause of this kind of radiation. You will be shown 8 new arrangements. Select which you think emit radiation when tested. You must select at least one and less than all eight.
You will receive a cash bonus of 5 cents for each of the arrangements you guess correctly about (watch video). This means that you can make a bonus of up to $0.05 × 10 radiation types × 8 test arrangements = $4. Play the video below to continue.
Instructions
Finally, you will be asked to describe in your own words what you think is the hidden rule that causes the radiation to be emitted at this frequency. For instance you might write, "I think all the cones have to be large". You should be as specific as possible with this. Try to use unambiguous phrases like "There must be at least..." / "There are at most.." / "There is exactly one..."
Note: The true rule has nothing to do with: the radiation's name; nor the way radiation might work on Earth; nor the order in which you perform your tests nor with what was true for the other frequencies of radiation. I.e., on this planet, all types of radiation operate independently.
This is a really tough assignment, so do the best you can. Do not worry if you cannot work everything out.
Good luck!
Instructions Summary
Your task is to work out what rule determines whether an arrangement of cones will emit radiation
You will do this for 10 different types of radiation waves (10 different rules)
You will see one positive example and then create 7 more of your own each time
You will then get a chance to demonstrate your understanding by guessing about whether 8 new arrangements will emit this type of arrangements (making 5 cents for each one you get right)
Finally you will describe the rule in your own words before moving on to the next type of radiation
Comprehension Quiz
We will now ask some quick questions to make sure you understand the task!
1. You will be investigating 10 different types of radiation (TRUE)
2. For each type, your job is to create arrangements that emit radiation as many times as possible (FALSE)
3. After doing your experiments, you will make judgments about new arrangements and earn 5 cents for one you get right (TRUE)
4. The rule can only be to do with the number, sizes, or colors of the cones (FALSE)
5. The rule might have to do with the order in which you performed your tests (FALSE)
Demographics and Debrief
You are finished! Thank you for your contributions to science. You will be eligible for full payment once you answer the following questions.
