So I was given a math project in which we need to gather "real world information" and make a scatter plot of the info. With this we must graph a line, parabola and exponential curve of best fit then find those formulas. The math is straight forward but I can't decide on a topic. I wanted to do something along the lines of electromagnetic radiation but I don't really care at this point. I just really want something in the science field. Any suggestions from anybody?
Why not measure the voltage output of a solar cell as a function of angle to the sun?
Data you would need is voltage max( cell panel facing sun), then voltage at several (many) angles to the sun.
It should correlate to a scatter plot fitting as best a cosine curve.
Solar cells are cheap, and available at Radio shack. You will need a voltmeter, and something to measure angles with, pencil, paper.
Certainly! If you're interested in exploring electromagnetic radiation, there are several topics within the science field that you could consider for your math project. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Solar Energy: You could gather data on the amount of solar energy (measured in watts per square meter) received at different locations or at different times of the year. This data could be obtained from weather stations, solar energy organizations, or scientific publications. Your scatter plot could show the relationship between solar energy and either location or time, and you could then fit a line, parabola, and exponential curve to find the best-fit formulas.
2. Indoor Air Quality: You could collect data on indoor air quality, such as levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or particulate matter. This data could be obtained through air quality monitoring devices installed in different indoor environments, such as homes, offices, or schools. For example, you could monitor the air quality in different rooms over time. Your scatter plot could show the relationship between air quality data and a specific parameter (e.g., time, location, or type of environment), and you could fit different curves to determine the best-fit formulas.
3. Radioactive Decay: If you're interested in nuclear physics, you could gather data on radioactive decay rates of different isotopes. This data is typically available in scientific databases or literature. You could plot the decay rates of different isotopes against their respective half-lives, and then find the best-fit curves (line, parabola, or exponential) to model the data.
Remember, when collecting data for your scatter plot, it's important to ensure that the data points are accurate, relevant, and properly labeled. This will ensure that your analysis and fitting of curves provide meaningful results. Good luck with your project!