4. A scientist studying solubility increased the temperature of a constant volume of water and measured the amount of sugar that dissolved into solution... Which of the following describes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?
Answer: B
As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.
Increasing the temperature of the water leads to an increase in the solubility of sugar, meaning more sugar can dissolve as the temperature rises.
A) As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the temperature of the water decreased.
This option is incorrect because it suggests an inverse relationship between the amount of dissolved sugar and the temperature of the water. In fact, an increase in temperature typically leads to an increase in solubility, not a decrease.
B) As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.
This option accurately describes the positive relationship between the independent variable (water temperature) and the dependent variable (amount of dissolved sugar), reflecting the principles of solubility in relation to temperature.
C) As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the amount of water remained constant.
While this statement may be true in the context of the experiment, it does not address the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It fails to describe how changes in temperature affect sugar solubility.
D) As the water temperature increased, the amount of water decreased.
This option is incorrect as it implies that increasing temperature causes a decrease in water volume, which is not a relevant factor in the solubility context. The volume of water remains constant in this experiment.
Conclusion
Option B is definitively correct, as it describes a direct and established relationship in solubility, where an increase in temperature enhances the amount of sugar that can dissolve. All other options either misrepresent the relationship or do not address it adequately, making them incorrect.