Making Graphs
We put our experiment data into tables so that we don’t forget what each number means. But it is hard to see the patterns in these long lists. So we make graphs to see the patterns clearer.
Some words you may not know: 1. Vertical: means up and down 2. Horizontal: means flat just like the ground 3. Pattern: in science we use patterns to make predictions
Making Graphs
We put our experiment data into tables so that we don’t forget what each number means. But it is hard to see the patterns in these long lists. So we make graphs to see the patterns clearer.
Some words you may not know: 1. Vertical: means up and down 2. Horizontal: means flat just like the ground 3. Axis: the number lines going vertical and horizontal on graphs 4. Pattern: in science we use patterns to make predictions
Let’s look at a table of experiment data. The number of vegetables the farm has to sell today.
Vegetables Carrots Watermelons Potatoes Corns Beans
Number 10 6 10 15 20
Now we will make our graph. This type of graph is called a column graph. • • • • We put a heading and label the axis. Put the vegetables on the horizontal axis and the numbers on the vertical axis. Then we put a column on the graph for each vegetable. The height of the column shows how many vegetables we have on the vertical axis.
Number of Vegetables
25
20
Number
15
10
5
0 Carrots Watermelons Potatos Vegetable Corns Beans
Is it easier to see which vegetable we have the most of in the graph or table? Which vegetable do we have the 3rd most of?
Let’s look at some more complicated experiment data from measuring the temperature of water as it is boiled.
Time (s) 0 60 120 180 240
Temperature (C) 10 40 70 90 100
Let’s make our graph. This type of graph is called a line graph. • • • • This set of data is different to the other one because both columns have numbers. We put the first column of numbers on the horizontal axis and the second column on the vertical axis. Then our points on the graph are where the number in each column cross. Then join the dots!
Boiling Water
120 100 Temperature (C) 80 60 40 20 0 0 50 100 150 Tim e (s) 200 250 300
Can you see that the temperature is going up to 100o C? Is it easier to see it in the graph or the table?
