An environmental scientist investigated how temperature affects the decomposition of compost (grass clippings) by measuring its dry mass over several weeks. The decomposition was caused by soil decomposers (bacteria and fungi) secreting extracellular enzymes to digest the organic material.
a.[3]
Calculate the rate of decomposition (representing the rate of dry mass loss) at 40∘C40^\circ\text{C}40∘C from Week 1 to Week 2.
- Dry mass of compost at Week 1 = ________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}________ kg
- Dry mass of compost at Week 2 = ________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}________ kg
- Loss in dry mass from Week 1 to Week 2 = ________\text{\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_}________ kg/week
b.[2]
The rate of decomposition at 20∘C20^\circ\text{C}20∘C from Week 1 to Week 2 is 0.4 kg/week0.4\text{ kg/week}0.4 kg/week.
How many times faster is the rate of decomposition at 40∘C40^\circ\text{C}40∘C than the rate of decomposition at 20∘C20^\circ\text{C}20∘C from Week 1 to Week 2?