Select two statements from paragraphs 8–11 that best demonstrate how the author uses rhetoric
to help readers better understand the relationship between Einstein's theory and Alcubierre's
discovery
8 Wait a minute-warp theory? Just when did warp change from an imaginary.
technology to an actual theory studied by real-life scientists? The answer is 1994, when
Miguel Alcubierre, a college physics student at the time, worked out the math.
9 To understand Alcubierre's discovery, we need to talk a little more about Albert
Einstein After publishing his theory of special relativity in 1905, Einstein moved to a bigger
theory: general relativity. Built on a set of "field equations"-formulas describing space
and time that can have different solutions, depending how you use them-general
relativity showed that space is like a fabric that's warped by gravity.
10 Solving the Einstein field equations in his own way, Alcubierre found that a tiny.
area of space in front of a ship could be compressed, while an area of space behind
the ship is expanded. This would generate a "warp bubble" that could move faster than
light, carrying the ship inside like an ocean wave carries a surfer. Imagine that the wave
carrying the surfboard did not come from the wind, but instead were generated by an
engine on the surfboard itself, and you'll understand the concept of warp drive
11 Concepts are great, but can we learn to actually squeeze and stretch space like the
Spandex of our workout pants? Ask Dr. Alcubierre today, and he'll give you a resounding
"NO"