Using what I've learned in the classroom for Graphical Data

[Mathamans]

I'm a first-year undergraduate student in mathematics and physics. In my Chemistry Lab class we've recently completed a graphical representation of data assignment and it was interesting. My question is, what can I do in regards to mathematics and physics, or something interesting in general, with the knowledge that I've acquired in the classroom, so I can get a feel for what it's like to actually use this in a "real-world" situation? I was thinking maybe something about computational physics, chemistry, mathematics, etc.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Depends on what you learned.

 

[Mathamans]

Depends on what you learned.

We learned how to graph data using Microsoft Excel, or similar software, and I've already learned how to use MATLAB for calculations and the like. I also learned to not always use linear functions, sometimes a logarithmic or exponential function; depending on what the data provides. In short, I learned how to represent data graphically.

 

[Simon Bridge]

...what can I do with the knowledge that I've acquired in the classroom, [I learned how to represent data graphically.] so I can get a feel for what it's like to actually use this in a "real-world" situation?

Find something you are interested in, collect data, and represent that resulting data graphically.
What are you interested in?

Pretty much everything can involve collecting data that can be represented graphically.
Almost all real life situations involve graphing, graphics, or using graphical representations.

 

[Chestermiller]

We learned how to graph data using Microsoft Excel, or similar software, and I've already learned how to use MATLAB for calculations and the like. I also learned to not always use linear functions, sometimes a logarithmic or exponential function; depending on what the data provides. In short, I learned how to represent data graphically.

You are looking for specific examples, right?

 

[Mathamans]

You are looking for specific examples, right?

Yes. Something that could provide me with: More knowledge about physics or math & an opportunity to use my knowledge outside of the classroom.

 

[Chestermiller]

Yes. Something that could provide me with: More knowledge about physics or math & an opportunity to use my knowledge outside of the classroom.

Here is just one example. If you measure the equilibrium vapor pressure of a substance as a function of temperature, a plot of the natural log of the vapor pressure as a function of the reciprocal of the absolute temperature T should be a straight line. The slope of this line can be used to determine the heat of vaporization.