Using Statistical Data and Graphs (Part II)

Jan. 8, 2012 - 5th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

This is the continuation of my post about using statistical data and graphs. In this part of the lecture, we studied the use of Scatter or X and Y Graph. A scatter plot or scattergraph is a type of mathematical diagram using Cartesian coordinates to display values for two variables for a set of data. Unlike linear graphs, the scatter plots only the points and connects them in an uneven manner.

Here's the scatter plot that we have done during the experiment. The experiment describes the movement (position, velocity, and acceleration) of a ball which is thrown upward on a remote sensor. Graphical results are propagated from the vernier lab quest.

Then, we also had an experiment that examines the motion of a linear particle (like a ruler) through a photogate, an instrument that somehow measures the motion of a particle. These are our results: 

The results shown here are represented by a line with bars on their edges, that indicates uncertainty.

The experiment was a first: a preparation for the next activities. Although it was a little tedious, the experiment was done enthusiastically. --Bartz, 2012

Using Statistical Data and Graphs

Jan. 8, 2012 - 5th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

In today's class, we reviewed the different ways to represent statistical data. We studied the different types of Graphs: Pie Chart, Bar Graph, and The Scatter Plot (X and Y graph). We also conducted a little experiment to apply our knowledge of these graphs. These statistical tools are very important in organizing and presenting data not only to the instructor, but also to the viewers of the work.

Let me get started with the Pie Chart. These graphs are very useful in representing data as percentage of a whole. Here is an example of a Pie Chart of my Daily Time Allotment:

Here is the data used:

       Daily Time Allotment          Time (Hours) 

Studying                              7 

Watching TV                       1 

Surfing the Internet               5 

 Eating                                  3 

 Sleeping                               8 

 Others                                  3  

Next, we studied the way to make a Bar Graph. This is used to represent polls, numbers, and votes into statistical graph. Here is an example of a Bar Graph of the favorite colors of students:

Here is the data used:

       Favorite Color      No. of Students 

 Red                  22 

 Blue                  15 

 Green                11 

Black                 6 

Pink                   2  

This is the first part of our lecture. I will be posting another blog that will emphasize the use of scatter graphs on some physics experiment. I am hoping to recieve the data that we recorded from the activity: the measurement of free-fall motion. -Bartz, 2012

The Best Fit Line

Dec. 12, 2011 - 4rth Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab with a guest teacher

After a rigorous exam in Chem 16, we had our lesson about the best fit line with a guest teacher. It is a line on a scatter plot which can be drawn near the points to more clearly show the trend between two sets of data.When data is displayed with a scatter plot, it is often useful to attempt to represent that data with the equation of a straight line for purposes of predicting values that may not be displayed on the plot.

The professor clear taught us how to organize the data with the proper notations and formulas. Also, statistical methods of central tendency like mean, median and mode, are used to set the best-fit line. - Bartz, 2011