Which Statement Best Describes the Status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic

question 47

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Copernicus invented his theory [about 1550, and before Tycho]?

• A) Copernicus had proved that Ptolemy's theory was incorrect.
• B) Both theories were known to be wrong.
• C) Ptolemy's theory fit the experimental facts better than the Copernican theory.
• D) Both theories agreed with the experimental facts.
• E) Although Copernicus couldn't disprove Ptolemy's theory, the Copernican theory agreed much better with the experimental facts than did the Ptolemaic theory.

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Goodness-of-fit Test

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