2025-304

In the context of epidemic spreading on networks, which statement correctly explains why scale-free networks allow epidemics to spread more easily than random networks?

1. Because scale-free networks have a lower average degree \(\langle k\rangle\), making it harder to contain infections.,/li>
2. Because scale-free networks follow homogeneous mixing, allowing each node the same chance to infect others.
3. Because scale-free networks contain hubs with very high degree, causing \(\langle k^2\rangle\) to diverge and making the epidemic threshold \(\lambda_c\) approach zero.
4. Because scale-free networks have stronger community structure, slowing down infection and increasing the epidemic threshold. 
5. None of the above.

Original idea by: Thiago Soares Laitz