Denise was measuring the effect of temperature on the amount of dissolved oxygen that water can hold. She hypothesized that as water temperature increases, the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in water increases. Her data are shown in the table below.

Water temperature (ºC)
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
5
12.5
10
11.0
15
10.2
20
9.1
25
8.3

Which conclusion did Denise most likely write in her lab report?
The data did not support the hypothesis because the amount of dissolved oxygen decreased as water temperature increased.
The data did not support the hypothesis because the amount of dissolved oxygen increased as water temperature increased.
The data supported the hypothesis because the amount of dissolved oxygen decreased as water temperature increased.
The data supported the hypothesis because the amount of dissolved oxygen increased as water temperature decreased.

The correct statement is that the data did not support the hypothesis because the amount of dissolved oxygen decreased as water temperature increased.

Explanation:

According to the hypothesis done by Denise, the dissolved oxygen will increase with the increase in temperature. However, on the basis of the results it is clear that as the temperature got increased from 5 degrees C to 25 degrees C, the dissolved oxygen in milligrams per liter got decreased consistently over the five measurements done. Thus, the experimental data did not support the hypothesis done by Denise. Thus, the correct statement would be the first one.