The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another is governed by the 2nd law of thermodynamics. The average efficiency of energy transfer from herbivores to carnivores is

Options

A. 0.05
B. 0.1
C. 0.25
D. 0.5

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the average efficiency of energy transfer from herbivores to carnivores, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Energy Transfer**:
- The transfer of energy between trophic levels in an ecosystem is governed by the second law of thermodynamics, which states that energy transfer is not 100% efficient.

2. **Know the 10% Rule**:
- According to the 10% rule (also known as Lindeman's rule), only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level. This means that when energy is transferred from producers to herbivores, and then from herbivores to carnivores, only a fraction of the energy is passed on.

3. **Calculate Energy Transfer from Producers to Herbivores**:
- If we assume that the producers (plants) have an energy value of 10 kcal, then:
- Energy transferred to herbivores = 10% of 10 kcal = 1 kcal.

4. **Calculate Energy Transfer from Herbivores to Carnivores**:
- Now, applying the 10% rule again for the transfer from herbivores to carnivores:
- Energy transferred to carnivores = 10% of 1 kcal = 0.1 kcal.

5. **Determine the Average Efficiency**:
- The average efficiency of energy transfer from herbivores to carnivores is therefore 0.1 (or 10%).

6. **Select the Correct Option**:
- From the given options (0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5), the correct answer is 0.1.

### Final Answer:
The average efficiency of energy transfer from herbivores to carnivores is **0.1**.

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