Lab 13: Fun with Matplotlib

Points Possible: 100

Due: Thursday, December 5th

In this lab, you will use Matplotlib to create visualizations using real-world data. Each program will involve reading data from a file and creating a corresponding plot.

Submission:
Submit a Python file for each of the programs, along with any output images saved during execution.

Program 1: Temperature Trends

Points Possible: 25

Tasks:

1. Read the data from the file and create a line plot of the average temperature against the year.
2. Add appropriate labels for the x-axis, y-axis, and title.

Starter Code for temperature.py

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Read data from the file
with open("temperature_data.txt", "r") as file:
    years = []
    temperatures = []
    for line in file:
        year, temp = line.strip().split(",")
        years.append(int(year))
        temperatures.append(float(temp))

# Create the line chart

temperature_data.txt

1880,14.0
1900,13.8
1950,14.3
2000,14.9
2020,15.3

Save the program as temperature.py and attach it to the Blackboard lab assignment.

Grading Rubric for the program:
(Comments: 5 points, read from file: 15 points, plot data: 5 points)
Total: 25 points

Program 2: Olympic Medals

Points Possible: 50

Tasks:

1. Read the data from the file and create a bar chart showing the number of gold medals for each country.
2. Customize the chart by:
   • Adding labels and a title.
   • Using different colors for the bars.

Starter Code for medals.py

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Read data from the file


# Create the bar chart

olympic_medals.txt

USA,39
China,38
Japan,27
Great Britain,22
ROC,20

Save the program as medals.py and attach it to the Blackboard lab assignment.

Grading Rubric for the program:
(Comments: 5 points, read from file: 25 points, plot data: 20 points)
Total: 50 points

Program 3: Shooting Stars

Points Possible: 25

Task:

1. Read the data from the file and create a scatter plot showing brightness against distance.
2. Customize the plot by:
   • Adding labels and a title.
   • Using a different color or size for each point based on brightness.

Starter Code for star.py

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Read data from the file


# Create the scatter plot
plt.scatter(distances, brightness, c=brightness)
plt.xlabel("Distance from Earth (light-years)")
plt.ylabel("Brightness (magnitude)")
plt.title("Star Brightness vs. Distance")
plt.colorbar(label="Brightness Scale")
plt.show()

star_data.txt

4.2,100
3.8,200
4.0,300
3.5,400
3.9,500

Save the program as star.py and attach it to the Blackboard lab assignment.

Grading Rubric for the program:
(Comments: 5 points, read from file: 15 points, plot data: 5 points)
Total: 25 points