What does the number next to the element indicate?

b. th3 n4zc4 pl4t3 15 c0nv3rg1ng w1th the s0uth 4m3ric4n pl4t3.

a polar bond is formed when electrons are shared unevenly between atoms

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.