Anya recorded the temperatures of four different smooth materials after they were placed under a heat lamp for thirty minutes.
| Material | Temperature (°F) |
| -------- | ------------------ |
| W | 87 |
| X | 99 |
| Y | 75 |
| Z | 105 |
Which conclusion is best supported by the information in the chart?
A. Material W is less absorbent than material Z.
B. Material $Y$ is the least reflective.
C. Material $X$ is more reflective than material $W$.
D. Material Z is the least absorbent.
Answer (1)
Analyze the given temperatures for materials W, X, Y, and Z.
Compare the temperatures to evaluate each conclusion about absorbency and reflectivity.
Determine that only the statement 'Material W is less absorbent than material Z' is supported by the data, as Z has a higher temperature than W.
Conclude that the best supported conclusion is: Material W is less absorbent than material Z.
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given the temperatures of four materials (W, X, Y, Z) after being placed under a heat lamp. The temperatures are: W = 87°F, X = 99°F, Y = 75°F, and Z = 105°F. We need to determine which conclusion is best supported by this data. Remember that a higher temperature indicates more heat absorption (less reflective), and a lower temperature indicates less heat absorption (more reflective).
Analyzing Each Conclusion Let's analyze each conclusion:
Material W is less absorbent than material Z. This means material Z absorbed more heat than material W, so the temperature of Z should be higher than the temperature of W. We have T Z = 105 and T W = 87 . Since 87"> 105 > 87 , this statement is true.
Material Y is the least reflective. The least reflective material should have the highest temperature. The temperature of Y is 75°F, which is the lowest temperature among the four materials. Therefore, this statement is false.
Material X is more reflective than material W. More reflective means lower temperature. The temperature of X is 99°F, and the temperature of W is 87°F. Since 87"> 99 > 87 , material X is less reflective than material W. Therefore, this statement is false.
Material Z is the least absorbent. The least absorbent material should have the lowest temperature. The temperature of Z is 105°F, which is the highest temperature among the four materials. Therefore, this statement is false.
Determining the Correct Conclusion Based on our analysis, only the first conclusion, "Material W is less absorbent than material Z," is supported by the data.
Examples
Understanding heat absorption and reflection is crucial in designing energy-efficient buildings. For example, choosing roofing materials that are more reflective can reduce the amount of heat absorbed by a building, lowering cooling costs in the summer. Similarly, understanding which materials absorb more heat can be useful in designing solar panels or other heat-collecting devices. This problem demonstrates a simplified version of the principles used in material science and engineering to optimize energy usage.
