Bubble Plots - USairpollution

1) Effect of both Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.) and Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit)

R commands:

ylim <- with(USairpollution, range(wind)) * c(0.95, 1)

plot(wind ~ temp, data = USairpollution,

xlab = "Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit)",

ylab = "Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.)", pch = 10, ylim = ylim)

with(USairpollution, symbols(temp, wind, circles = SO2, inches = 0.5, add = TRUE))

12
Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.)

11
10
9
8
7
6

45 50 55 60 65 70 75

Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit)

When the speed of wind is high, the average temperature will be low as it will be cooler. Sulphur dioxide
particles with the help of wind will get scattered in the atmosphere. Thereby, we get large bubbles for a
smaller average annual temperature at a higher average annual wind speed.
2) Effect of both Number of manufacturing enterprises employing 20 or more workers and Population
size (1970 census) in thousands

R commands:

ylim <- with(USairpollution, range(popul)) * c(0.95, 1)

plot(popul ~ manu, data = USairpollution,

xlab = " Number of manufacturing enterprises employing 20 or more workers ",

ylab = "", pch = 10, ylim = ylim)

with(USairpollution, symbols(manu, popul, circles = SO2,inches = 0.5, add = TRUE))

3500
Population size (1970 census); in thousands

3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Number of manufacturing enterprises employing 20 or more workers

Manufacturing enterprises will be found mostly in less populated area. However, these enterprises will
not be as large as enterprise where there is a higher population.

With the higher concentration of enterprises in less populated area, it is logical to find higher Sulphur
dioxide concentration in these areas. Hence, we have bubbles in the lower left end of the graphical
representation above. We should not also discard the higher enterprises (though not so many) where
we will have highest SO2 concentration. These can be considered as outliers. Example: Chicago
3) Effect of Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.) and average annual precipitation in inches

R commands:

ylim <- with(USairpollution, range(wind)) * c(0.95, 1)

plot(wind ~ precip, data = USairpollution,

xlab = " average annual precipitation in inches ",

ylab = " Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.) ", pch = 10, ylim = ylim)

with(USairpollution, symbols(precip, wind, circles = SO2,inches = 0.5, add = TRUE)

12
Average annual wind speed (m.p.h.)

11
10
9
8
7
6

10 20 30 40 50 60

average annual precipitation in inches

A higher average annual wind speed will help in the water cycle; hence we will have a high average
annual precipitation. As seen in the first bubble plot, high average annual wind speed favours the
concentration of SO2. Therefore, the bubbles in the centre of the above plot is representative of the
influence of average annual wind speed and average annual precipitation. Note that: at highest average
annual precipitation, the concentration of SO2 will not be high in the air as maybe the SO2 has been
washed away in rains or snow.
4) Effect of Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit) and average annual precipitation in inches

R commands:

ylim <- with(USairpollution, range(temp)) * c(0.95, 1)

plot(temp ~ precip, data = USairpollution,

xlab = " average annual precipitation in inches ",

ylab = " Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit) ", pch = 10,ylim = ylim)

with(USairpollution, symbols(precip, temp, circles = SO2,inches = 0.5, add = TRUE))

75
Average annual temperature (Fahrenheit)

70
65
60
55
50
45
40

10 20 30 40 50 60

average annual precipitation in inches