An environmental agency monitors the hourly particulate matter (PM2.5PM_{2.5}PM2.5) levels at four air quality monitoring stations. The recorded levels, in μg/m3\mu\text{g/m}^3μg/m3, are represented by the list L=[93,17,54,38]L = [93, 17, 54, 38]L=[93,17,54,38].
Explain how the merge sort algorithm can be used to sort this list in ascending order. In your explanation, refer to how the algorithm processes the elements of LLL.
You may reference the diagram below, which shows the structure of the sorting process, to support your explanation:
![Merge sort tree diagram showing the split and merge phases for [93, 17, 54, 38]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.mathsgenie.co.uk%2Faqa-qb%2F89bdf056-0258-49fe-84b2-b51af4fd6ac3.png&w=3840&q=75)
Sorting algorithms Questions
Practise AQA GCSE Computer Science Sorting algorithms with exam-style questions for GCSE Computer Science. 62 questions, matched to the AQA GCSE Computer Science (8525) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.