Re: Misconceptions assessments?

[John Denker <jsd@MONMOUTH.COM>]

At 09:20 AM 11/7/00 -0500, Robert A Cohen suggested asking (true or false):
> Radioactivity is man-made.

I disagree with the suggested "F" answer.  Man-made radioactivity has
existed for over 50 years.  In the room where I'm sitting, virtually all of
the radioactivity is in the form of Americium.

Or does the question hinge on the definition of what "is" is?

> Scientific law is considered to be more important than scientific theory.

Huh?  I'm not sure what this question is driving at.

Is it common for somebody (about to enter service as a teacher) to answer
"T" to this question?  If so, what does that answer indicate?
  -- deep-seated misconceptions about physics and epistemology?
  -- politically-incorrect vocabulary?