Which of the following hypotheses is the best for this scenario?

"In a high school science lab, a group of students is conducting an experiment to determine the amount of water needed to grow a seed into a fully mature plant. The students are investigating the effect of varying water amounts on the growth and development of bean plants."(1 point)
Responses

Bean plants will grow best when they receive the least amount of water, as this will encourage them to develop deeper roots and seek out water.
Bean plants will grow best when they receive the least amount of water, as this will encourage them to develop deeper roots and seek out water.

Bean plants will grow best when they receive the most amount of water, as this will provide them with more nutrients and encourage faster growth.
Bean plants will grow best when they receive the most amount of water, as this will provide them with more nutrients and encourage faster growth.

Bean plants will grow best when receiving a moderate amount of water, and excessive or insufficient water will result in stunted growth or plant mortality.
Bean plants will grow best when receiving a moderate amount of water, and excessive or insufficient water will result in stunted growth or plant mortality.

The amount of water has no effect on the growth and development of bean plants; all plants will grow equally well regardless of the water amount.

1 answer

The best hypothesis for this scenario is:

"Bean plants will grow best when receiving a moderate amount of water, and excessive or insufficient water will result in stunted growth or plant mortality."

This hypothesis is grounded in the understanding of plant biology, which suggests that while plants require water for growth, both excessive and insufficient water can negatively affect their development. It acknowledges the possibility of an optimal range for water expenditure, aligning well with the experiment's purpose of determining the impact of varying water amounts on the growth of bean plants.