Data Collection and Deduction

PHYSICS 101 Laboratory

DATA COLLECTION AND DEDUCTION

Name ______Group Members______Date ______Table Number ______

Purpose: To be able to collect data from samples and to learn how to analyze the data to come up with a scientific conclusion. In this exercise you will construct a histogram, a special type of graph. Your instructor will discuss histogram construction before you start.

Equipment needed for this lab: Scale (0.01 gram accuracy), Approximately 50 pennies, calipers, graph paper ======Procedure:

1. Examine the pennies. You will find various differences in the pennies. List at least three significant differences you can observe among the pennies (such as thickness, etc.). See 8 below for recording. On the data table, list five of the differences the group thought of. Two examples are already listed. Your group must select the other three.

2. Because you may be doing several different things with each penny, you will have to be able to identify individual pennies, but do not mark or write on any of the pennies (this constitutes changing its datum). Find a way to identify each penny without marking it. See 8 below for recording. First record your method and then record the final method selected by the group. Discuss the selected method with the instructor before continuing.

3. Next is a tedious, but very important part of the experiment. For each penny, determine the value for each of the differences in the data table and record. This implies that a quality not directly measurable will require some definition of quantitative scaling to specify or define the quality. Describe the scaling method(s). (See 8 below for recording.)

4 Construct a histogram of the number of pennies versus thickness (baseline). Consider within your group what value to use for the increments in your thickness histogram. Once determined, discuss this value with the instructor.

5. Construct a histogram of number of pennies versus mass. Use 0.1 gram increments on the base line of the histogram. You should see a definite pattern in the histogram. Make a note at the bottom of each histogram what the histogram has shown.

6. Construct a historgram using one of the other "difference" factors in your data table. Discuss your selection with your instructor before constructing the histogram.

7. From the observations in step 1, try to determine what is different in the groups you find in your histograms. The differences may be subtle. If you can't figure out the reasons, you may need to do some research - there has to be a reason why the histograms are the way they are. This means you will have to think about it. Record your conclusion in 8.

1 Physics 101 Laboratory Data Collection and Deduction 8. DIFFERENCES YOU DISCOVERED: 1. 2. 3. METHOD(S) USED TO IDENTIFY EACH SAMPLE: YOURS -

GROUP'S -

SCALING METHOD(S) USED FOR EACH QUALITATIVE DATUM: A.

CONCLUSIONS:

2 Physics 101 Laboratory Data Collection and Deduction DATA COLLECTION AND DEDUCTION DATA TABLE Mass (g) Thickness (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50