Final answer:
Students investigating the chemical composition of cold weather should focus on oxygen since it combines with hydrogen to form water ice at lower temperatures and is a significant atmospheric component.
Step-by-step explanation:
If students were to investigate the chemical composition of cold weather, they would likely focus on the element oxygen. This is because, at cooler temperatures, oxygen can combine with hydrogen to form water (H₂O) ice, a common occurrence in cold weather conditions. Additionally, oxygen is a significant component of the earth's atmosphere and plays a pivotal role in weather patterns and climate.
Furthermore, beyond the orbit of Saturn, other elements like carbon and nitrogen also combine with hydrogen to form ices such as methane (CH₄) and ammonia (NH₃), indicating the role that these elements play in the composition of ices in the solar system. Consequently, while oxygen is a major player in cold weather on Earth, carbon and nitrogen are also part of the broader context when considering the chemistry of cold regions in our solar system.