To determine how much energy the zooplankton acquired from the phytoplankton, let's work backward through the food chain based on the given information that a bald eagle acquires 50 kilograms (kg) of energy and each level in the food chain acquires only 10% of the energy from the previous level.
1. Bald Eagle: The bald eagle acquires 50 kg of energy.
2. Sea Ducks: Since each level acquires only 10% of the energy from the previous level, the sea ducks must have 10 times the energy the bald eagle has.
[tex]\[
\text{Energy of sea ducks} = 50 \, \text{kg} \times 10 = 500 \, \text{kg}
\][/tex]
3. Bivalves: Similarly, the bivalves must have 10 times the energy the sea ducks have.
[tex]\[
\text{Energy of bivalves} = 500 \, \text{kg} \times 10 = 5000 \, \text{kg}
\][/tex]
4. Zooplankton: The zooplankton must have 10 times the energy the bivalves have.
[tex]\[
\text{Energy of zooplankton} = 5000 \, \text{kg} \times 10 = 50000 \, \text{kg}
\][/tex]
5. Phytoplankton: Finally, the phytoplankton must have 10 times the energy the zooplankton have.
[tex]\[
\text{Energy of phytoplankton} = 50000 \, \text{kg} \times 10 = 500000 \, \text{kg}
\][/tex]
From the above calculations, we see that the zooplankton acquired 50,000 kg of energy from the phytoplankton. Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
50,000 \, \text{kg}
\][/tex]
