A student hypothesized that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sug… — ACT

A student hypothesized that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve in $100\text{ mL}$ of water decreases. To test this, the student measured the maximum mass of sugar dissolved at various temperatures and recorded the results in the table below:

Temperature ( $^\circ\text{C}$ )	Maximum mass of sugar dissolved ( $\text{g}$ )
$20$	$204$
$40$	$238$
$60$	$287$
$80$	$362$

Based on these results, how should the student modify their hypothesis?

The student should modify the hypothesis to state that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve increases.Answer
B
The student should modify the hypothesis to state that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve remains the same.
C
The student should modify the hypothesis to state that as the temperature of water decreases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve increases.
D
The student should modify the hypothesis to state that the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve is independent of water temperature.

Answer

The student should modify the hypothesis to state that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve increases.

The correct answer is correct because the experimental data directly contradicts the original hypothesis. As the independent variable (temperature) increases from

20^\circ\text{C}

80^\circ\text{C}

, the dependent variable (maximum mass of sugar dissolved) increases from

204\text{ g}

362\text{ g}

. Therefore, the student should modify the hypothesis to state that as the temperature of water increases, the maximum mass of sugar that can dissolve increases.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the student's original hypothesis and compare it to the independent variable (temperature) and dependent variable (maximum mass of sugar dissolved) in the table.

The student predicted a negative relationship: higher temperatures would lead to a lower mass of dissolved sugar.

To determine how to modify the hypothesis, we must first establish what the student originally expected.

Identify the trend in the data table as temperature increases from

20^\circ\text{C}

80^\circ\text{C}

20^\circ\text{C}

, the mass is

204\text{ g}

. At

40^\circ\text{C}

, it is

238\text{ g}

. At

60^\circ\text{C}

, it is

287\text{ g}

. At

80^\circ\text{C}

, it is

362\text{ g}

. As temperature increases, the dissolved mass increases.

Comparing the data points allows us to see if the dependent variable increases or decreases with the independent variable.

Compare the observed trend with the original hypothesis to formulate the modified hypothesis.

The actual trend (solubility increases with temperature) is the opposite of the original hypothesis. Therefore, the student should modify the hypothesis to state that solubility increases as temperature increases.

A modified hypothesis must align with the actual experimental evidence gathered.

Key Concept

Formulating and Modifying Hypotheses

Estimated Time:45s

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