Question

The density of atmosphere (measured in kilograms/meter3) on a certain planet is found to decrease as altitude increases (as measured from the planet's surface). What type of relationship exists between the altitude and the atmospheric density, and what would the atmospheric density be at an altitude of 1,291 kilometers?
A.

inverse plot, 0.45 kilograms/meter3

B.

inverse plot, 0.51 kilograms/meter3

C.

quadratic plot, 1.05 kilograms/meter3

D.

inverse plot, 1.23 kilograms/meter3

E.

inverse plot, 0.95 kilograms/meter3

Answer 1

Answer:

B.  inverse plot, 0.51 kilograms/meter3

Explanation:

First of all, we note that the relationship between the altitude and the atmospheric density is an inverse relationship. In fact, an inverse relationship is a relationship between the x-variable and the y-variable of the form

$y \propto \frac{1}{x}$

Therefore, as the x increases, the y decreases, and as the x decreases, they increases. This is exactly what occurs with the altitude and the atmospheric density in this plot: as the altitude increases, the density decreases, and vice-versa.

Moreover, we can infer the value of the atmospheric density at an altitude of 1,291 km. This point is located between point A (2550 km) and point B(1000 km), so the density must have a value between 0.30 kg/m^3 and 0.54 kg/m^3, so the correct choice is

B.  inverse plot, 0.51 kilograms/meter3