A scientist hypothesizes that dust blown into the atmosphere by sandstorms could reduce the number of hurricanes that form. How might the scientist support this hypothesis using a computer model? (A) By determining whether atmospheric dust could block enough sunlight to decrease ocean temperatures (B) By determining whether the dust particles are dark enough to absorb sunlight to increase air temperatures (C) By determining whether atmospheric dust is needed for rain droplets to form (D) By determining whether dust particles can form rain clouds in the air above the ocean

To support the hypothesis that dust blown into the atmosphere by sandstorms could reduce the number of hurricanes that form, the scientist would need to investigate how atmospheric dust affects conditions that are conducive to hurricane formation. The most relevant option is: **(A) By determining whether atmospheric dust could block enough sunlight to decrease ocean temperatures.** This is because cooler ocean temperatures can inhibit hurricane formation, as hurricanes typically require warm ocean water to develop. If the dust can block sunlight and lead to lower ocean temperatures, it could potentially reduce the number of hurricanes that form. The other options, while related to atmospheric processes, do not directly address the mechanism by which dust could influence hurricane formation in the context of the hypothesis.