Jan Gimsa, Robert Sleigh, and Ulrike Gimsa have hypothesized that the sail-like structure running down the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus improved the animal’s success in underwater pursuits of prey species capable of making quick, evasive movements. To evaluate their hypothesis, a second team of researchers constructed two battery-powered mechanical models of S. aegyptiacus, one with a sail and one without, and subjected the models to a series of identical tests in a water-filled tank.

Question

Jan Gimsa, Robert Sleigh, and Ulrike Gimsa have hypothesized that the sail-like structure running down the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus improved the animal’s success in underwater pursuits of prey species capable of making quick, evasive movements. To evaluate their hypothesis, a second team of researchers constructed two battery-powered mechanical models of S. aegyptiacus, one with a sail and one without, and subjected the models to a series of identical tests in a water-filled tank.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support Gimsa and colleagues’ hypothesis?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A)   The model with a sail took significantly longer to travel a specified distance while submerged than the model without a sail did.
A
The model with a sail took significantly longer to travel a specified distance while submerged than the model without a sail did.
(Choice B)   The model with a sail displaced significantly more water while submerged than the model without a sail did.
B
The model with a sail displaced significantly more water while submerged than the model without a sail did.
(Choice C)   The model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after completing the tests than the model without a sail did.
C
The model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after completing the tests than the model without a sail did.
(Choice D)   The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did.
D
The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did.

GPT 3.5 · Answer

The correct answer is D) The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn while submerged than the model without a sail did. This finding would support Gimsa and colleagues' hypothesis that the sail-like structure improved the dinosaur's success in underwater pursuits of prey species capable of making quick, evasive movements. The ability to make sharp turns quickly would suggest that the sail played a role in improving maneuverability in water.