A cylinder and an airtight piston are used in the following experiment. The piston is pushed up and down in the cylinder and the resulting pressure of the air inside the cylinder is measured with a pressure gauge. The results of the experiment are recorded in the following table: Volume of Air (L) Pressure Reading (Atm) 8 1 4 2 2 4 1 8 A hypothesis concerning the apparatus is stated as follows: "When the volume of the cylinder is decreased, the pressure is increased." Which of the following statements is true?

A. The hypothesis is supported by the experimental data.

B. The hypothesis is refuted by the experimental data.

C. The hypothesis is not addressed by the experiment.

D. There is not enough information to make a judgment about the hypothesis.

Graph that

P V
8 1
4 2
2 4
1 8

Every time you cut the volume in half you double the pressure
P V = k = 8
so
P = 8/V
so yes, confirmed

To determine whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted by the experimental data, we need to examine the relationship between the volume of air and the pressure reading recorded in the table.

Let's look at the data:
Volume of Air (L) Pressure Reading (Atm)
8 1
4 2
2 4
1 8

From the data, we can observe that as the volume of air in the cylinder is decreased, the pressure reading increases.
When the volume is halved (8 to 4), the pressure doubles (1 to 2).
When the volume is halved again (4 to 2), the pressure doubles again (2 to 4).
And when the volume is halved once again (2 to 1), the pressure doubles yet again (4 to 8).

This consistent pattern indicates a direct relationship between volume and pressure. As the volume decreases, the pressure increases, which aligns with the hypothesis.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

A. The hypothesis is supported by the experimental data.