James Webb Telescope: Unprecedented Exploration

The question asks us to identify the false statement based on the provided paragraph about the James Webb Telescope and dark matter. To do this, we need to carefully analyze each statement against the information given in the passage.

Dark Matter Interaction Analysis

Let's break down each option and compare it with the details provided in the paragraph:

• Option 1: "No other telescope has captured images of stars older than those captured by the James Webb telescope."
  • The paragraph states: "The James Webb telescope, recently launched in space, is giving humankind unprecedented access to the depths of time by imaging very old stars formed almost 13 billion years ago."
  • The word "unprecedented" means never done or known before. This implies that the James Webb Telescope is unique in its ability to image such old stars, suggesting no other telescope has achieved this. Therefore, this statement appears to be TRUE.
• Option 2: "People other than astrophysicists and cosmologists may also believe in the existence of dark matter."
  • The paragraph states: "Astrophysicists and cosmologists believe that this odyssey in space may even shed light on the existence of dark matter."
  • The text specifically mentions that astrophysicists and cosmologists believe this. However, it does not state that only these groups believe it. The phrase "may also believe" leaves open the possibility that others could hold this belief, which is not contradicted by the paragraph. This statement is not necessarily false based on the information provided.
• Option 3: "The James Webb telescope could be of use in the research on dark matter."
  • The paragraph states: "Astrophysicists and cosmologists believe that this odyssey in space may even shed light on the existence of dark matter."
  • "Shedding light on" something directly implies that it could be useful for research or understanding that topic. Thus, the James Webb telescope could indeed be helpful in dark matter research. This statement is TRUE.
• Option 4: "If dark matter was known to interact via the strong-interaction, then the epithet “dark” would be justified."
  • The paragraph explicitly states: "Dark matter is supposed to interact only via the gravitational interaction and not through the electromagnetic-, the weak- or the strong-interaction. This may justify the epithet “dark” in dark matter."
  • The reason dark matter is called "dark" is precisely because it *does not* interact with light (electromagnetic) or other common forces (weak, strong), making it very difficult to detect directly. If dark matter *did* interact via the strong interaction, it would behave more like ordinary matter and would not be "dark" in the sense described. The justification for "dark" relies on its *lack* of interaction with these forces. Therefore, if it interacted via the strong-interaction, the epithet "dark" would *not* be justified. This statement is FALSE.

Conclusion on Dark Matter Properties

Based on the detailed analysis of each statement against the provided paragraph, the statement that is FALSE is Option 4. The "dark" epithet for dark matter is justified because it does not interact via electromagnetic, weak, or strong forces, making it undetectable by conventional means. If it interacted via the strong force, it would be detectable and therefore, the term "dark" would lose its meaning in this context.