Evan uses a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water over time. The chart shows his temperature recordings and his observations.

Question

Time in minutes Temperature in
Degrees Celsius (°C) Observations
0 21°C large block of ice is floating
5 17°C ice is still floating, but the block is a little smaller
10 13°C ice is still floating, but the block is about half its original size
15 ? ice is still floating, but it is much smaller

Evan forgot to take the temperature at 15 minutes. At 15 minutes, the temperature of the water is most likely
A.
0°C.


B.
10°C.


C.
13°C.


D.
15°C.

Answer 1

To determine the most likely temperature of the water at 15 minutes, we can analyze the trend in the temperature recordings at the previous times:

• At 0 minutes, the temperature is 21°C, and the ice is floating.
• At 5 minutes, the temperature decreases to 17°C, and the ice is still floating but smaller.
• At 10 minutes, the temperature decreases further to 13°C, with the ice still floating and now only about half its original size.

From this trend, we can see that the temperature is decreasing over time, and the ice is shrinking. The temperature is dropping roughly 4°C every 5 minutes:

• From 21°C to 17°C (a decrease of 4°C) in the first 5 minutes.
• From 17°C to 13°C (again a decrease of 4°C) in the next 5 minutes.

If we continue this pattern, it is reasonable to assume that the temperature drop continues by approximately 4°C over the next 5 minutes (from 10 to 15 minutes).

So, if 13°C is the temperature at 10 minutes:

• Expected temperature at 15 minutes = 13°C - 4°C = 9°C.

Since 9°C is not listed as an option, we must choose the closest option available. The options provided are: A. 0°C B. 10°C C. 13°C D. 15°C

Given that 9°C is closest to 10°C, the best answer would be B. 10°C.