Diameter Problem in This Experiment, Term Paper

In each measurement, and the average value of D. from its three resulting values:

d" (in mm) l" (in mm)

D=(d/l)*150,000,000 km

Average:

don't average data)

In the table above, in the first measurement taken at 3:10pm, the value of d is 55.7 mm, while l is 5,998 mm. Substituting these values to the derived formula for D, which is D = (d/l) L, we get D = (55.7mm/5,998mm)(150,000,000km), or D = 1,392,964.32km. For the second measurement taken at 3:20pm, the value of d is 56.25mm, while l is 6,000mm. By substitution, D = (56.25mm/6,000mm)(150,000,000km), or D = 1,406,250km. For the last measurement taken at 3:30pm, the value of d is 56.6mm, while l is 6,003mm. By substitution again, we get D = (56.6mm/6,003mm)(150,000,000km), or D = 1,414,292.85km. The average value of D. can be taken by adding the values of D. from the three measurements in the experiment, and then dividing its result by three. In mathematical terms it translates: D = (D1 + D2 + D3)/3. By substituting the values of D. from the table above to this formula, we have D = (1,392,964.32km + 1,406,250km + 1,414,292.85km)/3, or, equivalently, D = 1,404,502.39km. Therefore, the diameter of the sun is approximately 1,404,502.39km.

In this experiment, I have learned how meticulous a scientist should be. In trying to learn about things under the sun, or even about the sun itself, there are disciplines to follow.One doesn't become a scientist just by being curious, but by carefully taking the necessary steps to discover things. In my finding the diameter of the sun through this "not so simple experiment," it is amazing to know that there are people whose eyes notice what most others don't. These people must be very keen observers, highly analytical, and so much in-love with nature.

Another part of my learning in this experiment is appreciating how the laws of mathematics apply to the stars. If simple ratio and proportion can be used to determine the diameter of the sun, how much more can the complicated mathematical principles be used to measure the more intriguing parts of heaven? I said parts, because I'm not sure if anyone can measure the heaven itself. The sun is but a speck of dust in the vast expanse of space; makes me wonder what kind of speck in the universe are we.

But the best thing I learned from this experiment is: curiosity must have a good reason for existing. But why measure the diameter of the sun? Why measure the radius of the orbit of the earth? I didn't find the….....