Question

1. look at the chart. then, choose the best answer.

battery life: lithium vs. alkaline

batteries	type	hours that the battery powered a 1 watt light bulb at 15 °c
battery 2	alkaline	3.8
battery 3	alkaline	4.8
battery 4	lithium	9.9
battery 5	lithium	10.2
battery 6	lithium	9.4

what is the best conclusion or reasoning one can make from the battery experiment data?
○ lithium batteries are safer than alkaline batteries.
○ lithium batteries provide power for longer than alkaline batteries.
○ there is little difference between alkaline and lithium batteries.
○ alkaline batteries provide power for longer than lithium batteries.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The data provided is about battery life (hours of powering a light bulb), not safety. So, we can eliminate the option "Lithium batteries are safer than alkaline batteries" as there's no safety - related data.
2. Analyze the second option: Calculate the average (or just observe the values) of alkaline and lithium batteries' life. For alkaline batteries: The values are 4.5, 3.8, and 4.8. The average is $\frac{4.5 + 3.8+4.8}{3}=\frac{13.1}{3}\approx4.37$ hours. For lithium batteries: The values are 9.9, 10.2, and 9.4. The average is $\frac{9.9 + 10.2+9.4}{3}=\frac{29.5}{3}\approx9.83$ hours. Clearly, lithium batteries have a longer average power - providing time. Also, by directly looking at the individual values (lithium values: 9.4, 9.9, 10.2; alkaline values: 3.8, 4.5, 4.8), we can see that each lithium battery's life is much longer than the alkaline ones.
3. Analyze the third option: From the values we saw above, there is a significant difference (lithium has much longer life) between the two types of batteries, so this option is incorrect.
4. Analyze the fourth option: As we calculated and observed, lithium batteries have a longer life than alkaline batteries, so this option is the opposite of the correct conclusion.

Answer:

Lithium batteries provide power for longer than alkaline batteries.