A student created the data table below using a computer simulation of coal consumption and a human population. What conclusion can be drawn from the data in the table?
| Population growth rate | Conservation tactic | Years before population runs out of coal |
| :----------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------- |
| None | None | 340 |
| Average | None | 150 |
| Average | Build wind power plant | 175 |
| Average | Build wind power plant and teach public energy conservation | 250 |
| High | None | 100 |
A. Conservation tactics can extend how long coal resources are available to a population.
B. Conservation of coal resources can make populations grow at a faster rate.
Answer (2)
Conservation tactics can extend the availability of coal resources, as evidenced by the data showing increased years before coal runs out with the implementation of such tactics. Higher population growth rates lead to quicker depletion of coal resources. Therefore, the correct conclusion is option A: conservation tactics extend coal resource availability.
;
Conservation tactics extend the availability of coal resources.
Higher population growth rates decrease the time coal resources last.
Option A, stating that conservation tactics extend coal resource availability, is the correct conclusion.
The final answer is A. A
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to analyze a data table to determine the conclusion that can be drawn from it. The table shows the relationship between population growth rate, conservation tactics, and the number of years before a population runs out of coal. We need to determine if conservation tactics extend the availability of coal resources and if conservation of coal resources makes populations grow at a faster rate.
Analyzing Conservation Tactics Let's analyze the data. When the population growth rate is 'Average', the years before coal runs out are as follows:
None: 150 years
Build wind power plant: 175 years
Build wind power plant and teach public energy conservation: 250 years This shows that implementing conservation tactics increases the number of years before the coal runs out.
Analyzing Population Growth Rate Now let's consider the population growth rate. When no conservation tactic is used, the years before coal runs out are as follows:
None: 340 years
Average: 150 years
High: 100 years This shows that a higher population growth rate decreases the number of years before the coal runs out.
Conclusion Based on the analysis, conservation tactics can extend how long coal resources are available to a population. The data does not suggest that conservation of coal resources makes populations grow at a faster rate. Therefore, option A is the correct conclusion.
Examples
Understanding the impact of resource management and population growth is crucial in real-world scenarios. For instance, a city planning its energy infrastructure needs to consider both the projected population growth and the adoption of renewable energy sources. By analyzing data similar to the table, the city can estimate how long its coal reserves will last and make informed decisions about investing in sustainable alternatives. This ensures a balance between energy consumption and resource conservation, leading to a more sustainable future. The principles of resource management and population impact are applicable to various fields, from environmental science to economics.
