Statistics of Radioactive Decay

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on creating a best fit curve for data collected using a Geiger-Muller counter to measure natural radioactivity. The user recorded 45 counts and plotted them in Excel, observing a Gaussian-like distribution. The challenge was to accurately fit a curve to the data points without distorting the original shape. The solution provided was to utilize the NORMDIST function in Excel, which effectively addressed the user's issue.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gaussian distribution and its properties
  • Familiarity with Excel functions, specifically NORMDIST
  • Basic knowledge of data collection using Geiger-Muller counters
  • Experience in creating scatter plots in Excel
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advanced Excel functions for statistical analysis
  • Learn about curve fitting techniques in data analysis
  • Explore the use of statistical software like R for fitting distributions
  • Study the principles of radioactive decay and its statistical implications
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or statistics, data analysts, and anyone interested in statistical modeling of experimental data.

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Homework Statement


I hope that I'm posting it in the right section...
I did an experiment in class using a Geiger-Muller counter with the objective to find the amount of counts (how many photons hit the detector) due to natural radioactivity around my work station. I recorded 45 values of counts from the GM counter, and then created a table which shows how frequently each count appeared in the 45 measurements.

I put the values in a spreadsheet in excel and plotted a scatter graph of my values, and as expected I got a curve that resembles a Gaussian Curve, but now my problem is that I don't know how to make a best fit curve to these points, and whenver I try to use the functions of excel I get some curve of average that changes the shape of the curve completely.

How can I create a best fit curve to this data?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Excel file attached.

Thank you for your time.
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
Try the NORMDIST function is Excel.
 
Thanks! seems to work now.
 

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