To calculate the rate at which the temperature in the freezer is dropping per minute, we can follow these steps:
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Determine the initial and final temperatures:
- Initial temperature (after 15 minutes): \( 7°C \)
- Final temperature: \( -17°C \)
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Calculate the change in temperature: \[ \text{Change in temperature} = \text{Final temperature} - \text{Initial temperature} = -17°C - 7°C = -24°C \]
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Calculate the time interval:
- The total time interval for the temperature drop is 15 minutes.
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Calculate the rate of temperature drop per minute: \[ \text{Rate of temperature drop} = \frac{\text{Change in temperature}}{\text{Time interval}} = \frac{-24°C}{15 \text{ minutes}} = -1.6°C/\text{minute} \]
The negative sign indicates the temperature is dropping. Therefore, the temperature in the freezer is dropping at a rate of 1.6°C per minute.