Optical tweezers are specialized scientific tools—particularly useful in biology and medicine—that use high-powered beams of light to trap and manipul...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Optical tweezers are specialized scientific tools—particularly useful in biology and medicine—that use high-powered beams of light to trap and manipulate minuscule particles for study. Use of the tool has led to several scientific and medical breakthroughs over the last few decades, but the particles are often under prolonged exposure to the intense heat of the light beams. To overcome the risk of overheating, and thereby damage, researchers sometimes attach nano-sized glass beads to particles, allowing the light to focus on the beads instead of the particles.
Based on the text, what is one advantage of attaching glass beads to particles when using optical tweezers?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Optical tweezers are specialized scientific tools—particularly useful in biology and medicine—that use high-powered beams of light to trap and manipulate minuscule particles for study." |
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| "Use of the tool has led to several scientific and medical breakthroughs over the last few decades, but the particles are often under prolonged exposure to the intense heat of the light beams." |
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| "To overcome the risk of overheating, and thereby damage, researchers sometimes attach nano-sized glass beads to particles, allowing the light to focus on the beads instead of the particles." |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers use glass beads attached to particles to prevent overheating damage when using optical tweezers.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces optical tweezers as useful scientific tools, identifies overheating as a significant problem with their use, then presents the glass bead attachment method as a solution that redirects the intense light away from the particles themselves.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? One advantage of attaching glass beads to particles when using optical tweezers
What type of answer do we need? A specific benefit or positive outcome of the glass bead method
Any limiting keywords? "one advantage" - we just need to identify a single benefit, and "based on the text" - must be directly supported by the passage
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage clearly explains that glass beads are attached so that "the light to focus on the beads instead of the particles."
- This is specifically to "overcome the risk of overheating, and thereby damage."
- So the key advantage is that it prevents the particles themselves from getting directly heated by the intense light beams.
- The right answer should explain how the glass beads protect the particles from direct heat exposure while still allowing the optical tweezers to work.
- Claims glass beads decrease time to locate and capture particles
- The passage never mentions anything about speed of location or capture
- This doesn't address the heat problem the passage focuses on
- States that glass beads facilitate particle maneuvering without directly heating the particles
- Perfectly matches the passage's explanation that beads allow "light to focus on the beads instead of the particles"
- Directly addresses the overheating problem described in the passage
- Suggests glass beads allow use of weaker light beams
- The passage doesn't mention changing the strength of the light beams
- The solution is about redirecting the light, not weakening it
- Claims beads provide material for heat transfer from particles
- This misunderstands the mechanism - the passage says light focuses on beads "instead of" particles, not that beads absorb heat from particles