Plot a graph to verify the inverse square law and use the graph to estimate ?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on verifying the inverse square law using gamma ray count-rate data collected from a cobalt-60 source at varying distances. The background count was measured with an average of 12.6 counts per minute. The count rates at distances of 1.0 cm to 8.0 cm were recorded as 413, 161, 92, 60, 43, 35, and 26 counts per minute, respectively. The user seeks assistance in calculating an additional distance from the plotted graph, indicating a need for clarity on interpreting the graph's data.

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  • Understanding of the inverse square law in physics
  • Familiarity with graph plotting techniques
  • Basic knowledge of gamma radiation and cobalt-60
  • Experience with statistical analysis of experimental data
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  • Learn how to plot graphs using Python's Matplotlib library
  • Study the principles of the inverse square law in detail
  • Explore methods for estimating distances from graphical data
  • Investigate background radiation measurement techniques
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Students in physics, researchers in radiation studies, and anyone interested in experimental data analysis and graph interpretation.

nomanslan
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Hi,

I know that this is my first post, but please help me! I am having trouble with the following question

"The following data was collected from an experiment to measure the gamma ray count-rate at different distances from a sample of cobalt-60 The background count was measured five times. Background count (per minute) = 12, 14, 10, 15, 12.

Count (per minute) 413 161 92 60 43 35 26
Distance between source and detector (cm) 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 7.0 8.0

Plot a suitable graph to verify the inverse square law and use the graph to estimate the extra distance, d, between the source and the detector."

i have plotted the graph, but i am unsure on have to calculate the extra distance using it.

Thank you so much for all your help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF nomanslan!

I'm unclear on what you mean by "the extra distance" between source and detector. You measured the distance between source and detector, did you not?
 

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