Derek lives in a hot, humid climate. He has two rose bushes in pots in his yard. The rose bushes grow quickly and bloom with large, red roses. Derek moves to a cold, dry climate at the same altitude and notices that his rose bushes stop growing and do not have large blooms. He hypothesizes that the rose bushes are not receiving enough water because he is now in a dry climate. He waters them more often, but they do not improve.

Question

Which of the following scientific questions should he ask next to find out what is wrong with his roses?
A.
Which rose bush has larger, more colorful blooms?
B.
How much do rose bushes cost in his new area?
C.
Do rose bushes grow better in high or low altitudes?
D.
Does temperature affect the growth of the rose bushes?

Answer 1

Derek's situation suggests he is trying to understand the factors affecting the growth of his rose bushes after moving to a colder, drier climate. Since he has already considered water availability and increased watering doesn’t seem to improve the situation, the next logical step would be to investigate other environmental factors that could be influencing their growth.

Given the options provided, the most relevant scientific question he should ask next is:

D. Does temperature affect the growth of the rose bushes?

This question addresses a key factor in plant growth, as temperature can significantly impact plant health, development, and blooming. Exploring this aspect could provide valuable insights for Derek's situation.