A biologist measures the amount of contaminant in a lake 3 hours after a chemical spill and again 11 hours after the spill. She sets up two possible models to determine $Q$, the amount of the chemical remaining in the lake as a function of $t$, the time in hours since the spill. The first model assumes the contaminant is leaving the lake at a constant rate, which she determines to be 7 tons\hour. Using this model, she estimates that the lake will be free from the contaminant 24 hours after the spill. The second model assumes that the amount of contaminant decreases exponentially. She measures the spill a third time after 23 hours and finds that 44 tons remain. Which model seems best?
A) The linear one
B) The exponential one

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The exponential model is more appropriate because the contaminant amount decreases over time but does not reach zero after 24 hours, as shown by the 44 tons remaining after 23 hours.

A Biologist Measures the Amount of Contaminant in a Lake QQQ

A Biologist Measures the Amount of Contaminant in a Lake $Q$