The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Is Charged with Monitoring the Environment

question 36

Essay

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with monitoring the environment. One aspect of this is keeping track of "acid rain," a broad term describing the fall of water through an acidic atmosphere. Acidity is measured on the pH scale, where pure water has a pH of 7.0. Normal rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide dissolves into it, and thus has a pH of about 5.5. (A lower pH indicates greater acidity.) Suppose the EPA wishes to determine whether a particular area is subject to acid rain. Let μ denote the true average for pH in this area.
a) What is the appropriate null hypothesis?
b) What is the appropriate alternative hypothesis?
c) In your own words, distinguish between a Type I and a Type II error in this context.

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Definitions:

Heuristic Approach

A problem-solving strategy that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, or rational, but sufficient for reaching an immediate goal.

Analytic Approach

A method of problem-solving by breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it.

Naive Physics

Naive physics is the common-sense understanding of the physical world that people develop based on their everyday experiences, often without formal education in physics.

Object Persistence

The property of an object to continue existing even when it is not being perceived or observed.