122k views
1 vote
3 A water plant produces a few bubbles of oxygen in a certain time when the temperature of its pond is 10°C. Predict what will happen to the bubble production when the temperature of the pond water rises to

20°C. Explain your answer.

User Eliu
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

As the temperature rises from 10°C to 20°C in a water plant's pond, oxygen bubble production is expected to increase due to enhanced photosynthesis and decreased gas solubility; oxygen becomes less soluble and more likely to form bubbles.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the temperature of a water plant's pond increases from 10°C to 20°C, the production of oxygen bubbles by the plant is likely to increase. The phenomenon can be explained by the fact that at higher temperatures, the rate of photosynthesis typically increases. Plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Moreover, increased temperature can lead to greater kinetic energy in water molecules, which can cause the dissolved oxygen to be released more readily in the form of bubbles.

Additionally, a higher temperature can decrease the solubility of gases in water, meaning that oxygen will be less soluble and more likely to form bubbles. These bubbles can also grow larger and break away from the plant more readily because the vapor pressure of oxygen increases with temperature--allowing bubbles to expand, similar to air bubbles in water that expand as they rise due to the decrease in pressure with less water overhead, which is further exemplified by the increase in vapor pressure inside the bubble.

User Jcz
by
7.2k points