Sunshine and Chlorophyll Production Science Fair Projects

Methods/Materials

The data had already been recorded, all that had to be done was the grueling work of entering it into an Excel file using home made computer programs. Once entered into Excel, the two different data sets were compared and graphed.

Results

No correlations were found in comparing the data sets. A statistical analysis was run on the results. The correlation coefficient for the percentage of sunshine data and the chlorophyll data was found to be .021003, showing no correlation.

Conclusions/Discussion

In conclusion to the study no correlations were found between the sun data and the chlorophyll data. The chlorophyll data had a few high outliers and then flat lined. None of the outliers could be explained by the sun data. Both sun data results, (photosynthetic active radiation and percent of sunshine) showed an almost identical graphing result. They both have a cyclic pattern most likely corresponding with the seasons.

The results disprove the hypothesis. The graphs suggest that the sun data tested has little to no effect on the amount of chlorophyll. The correlation coefficient of the chlorophyll data and the photosynthetically active radiation was .021003. The correlation coefficient of the chlorophyll data and the photosynthitcally active radiation was .020988. 3rd party contributor