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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > March  >
Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
An Easy and Effective Classroom Demonstration of Population Distributions
Marjorie A. Jones
Illinois State University, Department of Chemistry, Normal, IL 61780-4160
Cover
March 1999
Vol. 76 No. 3
p. 384
Abstract
Using a simple experimental design and easily obtained materials, a classroom experiment was conducted to demonstrate normal-distribution behavior for a population. We used popcorn and a hot-air popper. Popped kernels were collected with time and data were plotted as popped kernels per time interval versus time. The data clearly showed a normal (Gaussian) distribution. The width of the peak (broad or narrow) was clearly influenced by the time intervals sampled. This experiment could easily be done at the middle school, high school, or college freshman level. Results can be extrapolated to other populations such as atoms, molecules, or societies.
More Information
*  Citation
 Jones, Marjorie A. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 384.
*  Keywords
 Guassian distribution; Teaching / Learning Aids; Introductory / High School Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 June 15, 1999
June 22, 2005
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