Atmospheric carbon dioxide is thought to be responsible for global warming.
The table below contains data about the amount of Atmospheric CO2 (in ppm) over the last fifty years.
|
Year
|
CO2
|
|
1959
|
315.98
|
|
1960
|
316.91
|
|
1965
|
320.04
|
|
1968
|
323.04
|
|
1971
|
326.32
|
|
1975
|
331.08
|
|
1980
|
338.7
|
|
1982
|
341.4
|
|
1984
|
344.4
|
|
1986
|
347.2
|
|
1988
|
351.5
|
|
1990
|
354.2
|
|
1992
|
356.4
|
|
1994
|
358.9
|
|
1996
|
362.6
|
|
1998
|
366.6
|
|
2000
|
369.4
|
|
2002
|
372.9
|
|
2007
|
383.71
|
|
2008
|
385.54
|
|
2009
|
387.35
|
(a) Construct a scatter plot for this data. (Either by hand or using Excel)
(b) Comment on the shape.
(c) Find a line of best fit. If doing this by hand, you will need to find the line of best fit by eye and then find the equation. If using excel, use a formula(s) to find the line of best fit.
(d) Using the equation, what was/is the atmospheric CO2 in 2005, 1920, 2020? Comment on the accuracy of your answers.
(e) In your conclusion, comment on the accuracy of modelling this as a straight line given your graph. Consider the accuracy to determine past and present values for CO2.