Parker wound a wire around a large iron nail. He then created an electromagnet by connecting the ends of the wire to different batteries. The table shows the current he measured for each electromagnet.
Which conclusion is best supported by the data?
A. Electromagnet W is the strongest.
B. Electromagnet X is weaker than electromagnet Z.
C. Electromagnet Y is the strongest.
D. Electromagnet Y is weaker than electromagnet X.
Answer (1)
The strength of an electromagnet is directly proportional to the current flowing through it.
Electromagnet W has the lowest current (2 amperes), so it's the weakest.
Electromagnet Y has the highest current (8 amperes), so it's the strongest.
Therefore, the conclusion that is best supported by the data is that Electromagnet Y is the strongest. $\boxed{Electromagnet Y is the strongest.}
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table that shows the current (in amperes) of four different electromagnets: W, X, Y, and Z. The current values are 2, 5, 8, and 3 amperes, respectively. We need to determine which of the given conclusions is best supported by the data. The strength of an electromagnet is directly proportional to the current flowing through it. Therefore, a higher current indicates a stronger electromagnet.
Analyzing the Conclusions Let's analyze each conclusion:
"Electromagnet W is the strongest." This is incorrect because Electromagnet W has a current of 2 amperes, which is the lowest among the four electromagnets. Therefore, it is the weakest, not the strongest.
"Electromagnet X is weaker than electromagnet Z." Electromagnet X has a current of 5 amperes, and Electromagnet Z has a current of 3 amperes. Since 5 > 3, Electromagnet X is stronger than Electromagnet Z. Therefore, this conclusion is incorrect.
"Electromagnet Y is the strongest." Electromagnet Y has a current of 8 amperes, which is the highest among the four electromagnets. Therefore, this conclusion is correct.
"Electromagnet Y is weaker than electromagnet X." Electromagnet Y has a current of 8 amperes, and Electromagnet X has a current of 5 amperes. Since 8 > 5, Electromagnet Y is stronger than Electromagnet X. Therefore, this conclusion is incorrect.
Final Answer Based on the analysis, the conclusion that is best supported by the data is: Electromagnet Y is the strongest.
Examples
Electromagnets are used in various devices, such as electric motors, generators, and MRI machines. The strength of the electromagnet is crucial for the proper functioning of these devices. For example, in an MRI machine, a strong electromagnet is needed to create a strong magnetic field, which is used to produce detailed images of the human body. Understanding the relationship between current and the strength of an electromagnet helps engineers design and optimize these devices for better performance.
