Atmospheric scientists measured the mixing ratio of methane (\text{CH}_4, in \text{ppm}) a… — ACT

Atmospheric scientists measured the mixing ratio of methane ( $\text{CH}_4$ , in $\text{ppm}$ ) and carbon monoxide ( $\text{CO}$ , in $\text{ppb}$ ) at various altitudes above sea level ( $\text{km}$ ) during an atmospheric survey, as shown in the table below:

Altitude ( $\text{km}$ )	Methane ( $\text{CH}_4$ , $\text{ppm}$ )	Carbon Monoxide ( $\text{CO}$ , $\text{ppb}$ )
0	1.85	120
3	1.78	95
6	1.65	70
9	1.48	48
12	1.20	30

Statement: If these tabular data are translated into a line graph plotting atmospheric concentration versus altitude ( $0$ to $12\text{ km}$ ), both gases will be represented by curves with negative slopes, and carbon monoxide will show a larger overall percentage decrease than methane across the altitude range.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is true because both trace gases decrease in concentration as altitude increases, resulting in negative slopes for both plotted curves, and carbon monoxide undergoes a

75.0\%

decrease compared to a

35.1\%

decrease for methane.

The statement accurately translates the tabular data into graphical features. Both gas concentrations decrease steadily with increasing altitude, establishing negative slopes. Additionally, carbon monoxide experiences a

75.0\%

drop versus methane's

35.1\%

drop, confirming that carbon monoxide has the larger overall percentage decrease.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the concentration trend for each gas as altitude increases from

0\text{ km}

12\text{ km}

Methane decreases from

1.85\text{ ppm}

1.20\text{ ppm}

, and carbon monoxide decreases from

120\text{ ppb}

30\text{ ppb}

Determining whether concentrations increase or decrease establishes the direction of the slope on a concentration versus altitude graph.

Determine the slope sign for both curves on a line graph.

Since both concentrations decrease continuously as the horizontal axis (altitude) increases, both curves display negative slopes.

Translating tabular data where the dependent variable decreases while the independent variable increases yields a negative slope.

Calculate and compare the percentage decrease for both gases from

0\text{ km}

12\text{ km}

Methane percentage decrease =

\frac{1.85 - 1.20}{1.85} \times 100\% \approx 35.14\%

. Carbon monoxide percentage decrease =

\frac{120 - 30}{120} \times 100\% = 75.00\%

Evaluating relative percentage changes verifies whether carbon monoxide experienced a greater proportional reduction than methane.

Key Concept

Translating numerical tables into graphical slope directions and percentage change comparisons

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