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Satellite Problem
Table 1
Given Information
Table 1 above shows the necessary data given to make statistic calculations. Since a
relationship between distance and acceleration due to gravity is trying to be found, only that data
was listed. Variables measured are Average Distance from Core of Earth in km and
Figure 1, above, shows a scatterplot of the average distances and accelerations of the
satellites. From looking at the graph alone, the data appears to be linear with a negative slope.
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Table 2
Linear Regression Results
The statistical test decided to be run was linear regression. The table and graph above
shows the linear regression for the data. The linear regression equation is in the form =a+bx.
The regression model for this set of data is =25.4399+-0.002471x. In terms of the problem, the
model says that for every kilometer away a satellite is from Earth, its acceleration due to gravity
decreases by 0.0025 meters per second squared. The correlation coefficient (r) is -0.999593,
which means that the data has a strong negative correlation. The coefficient of determination (r2)
is 0.999187, which means that the data varies little from the regression line.
Hypotheses:
Ho: =0
Ha: 0
Assumptions:
Linear: The data appears to be linear, supported by the statistical values r and r2.
Independent: The group of satellites selected was random, from a population of over 1000 total
satellites.
Normal: None of the residuals are far from the regression line.
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Equal SD: The residual plot shows a curved pattern, which indicates the test run may not be
applicable, but since the residuals are so small compared to the data, it might be considered
negligible. These observations call for the results of the test to be taken with caution.
Alpha and Beta: a and b in the equation are unbiased estimators of alpha and beta.
Table 3
Linear Regression Test Results
The table above shows the results of a linear regression test for the variables. The statistic
t was used to calculate the p-value of essentially 0. Reject H0 in favor of Ha. There is strong
evidence to suggest correlation between the average distance from the core of earth and
acceleration due to gravity of the satellites. The p-value of 1.195*10-13 is below the alpha level of
0.05. If Ho is assumed true, there is almost no chance of getting results this extreme by chance
alone.
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The figure above show the residuals in the Y-direction of the data points from the
regression line. The residual plot appears quadratic, which indicates the results may not be linear
Table 4
Confidence Interval
Table 4 above shows a 95% confidence interval for the linear regression test performed
on the data. It can be said with 95% confident that the true slope of the data is between the values
Table 5
Data (with Galaxy 15 and Moon)
Table 5 above shows the original data points as well as the data for Galaxy 15 and
Earths moon.
The data does not appear to be linear, so other regressions should be considered.
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Table 7
Power Regression Results of New Data
The table above shows the results of a power regression test on the new data. A power
regression was decided to be run because it best fit the data. The equation produced by this test is
in the form a*xb. For the new set of data, the regression resulted in the equation
=(3.082*108)*x-1.97. In terms of the problem, the model says that the acceleration (m/s2) of the
satellites due to gravity is about 3.082*108 times the inverse square of the distance (km) from the
Earths core. The correlation coefficient (r) is -0.999975, which means that the data has a very
strong negative correlation. The coefficient of determination (r2) is 0.999949, which means there
Figure 4 shows the residuals of the data with Galaxy 15 and the Moon. The residuals are
how far away in the Y-direction the observed points are away from the regression model. All of
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the data points in the lower X-direction have similar residuals compared to the others since they
are so close together. More data points would be beneficial, but from the data given the residuals
The second set of data yielded a very different regression than the first. With the addition
of the two new points, it was revealed that the pattern is not linear, but of a power. This could be
explained by the fact that the first set of data was very close together, because most small
sections of power equations tend to appear linear. The power equation is also supported by the
scientific equation for finding acceleration (G*m/r2, where G is the universal gravitational
constant, m is the mass of the body, and r is the distance away from the body), because the
regression model had the exponent of x (distance) as -1.97, which is very close to 1/r2, and the
coefficient 3.082*108 is very close to the product of G and the Earths mass. The power
regression model came close to recreating the Law of Gravitation, which is why it is accepted as
Yes, there is gravity in space. Based on the second model (power regression model), the
acceleration of the ISS due to gravity is 3.082*108*6621-1.97 which is 9.060 m/s2. The astronauts
on the ISS float because the gravity is counteracted by the orbital velocity of the space station.
They are moving so quickly around the Earth that they cant feel the gravity.