Transcript Lesson 4

Graphing in Science:
Presenting DATA
What are graphs?
- A graph is a visual
way of presenting
DATA.
- It is one of the ways by
which scientists
communicate results.
“A picture is worth a thousand
words.”
• Graphs are
pictures that help
us understand
amounts. These
amounts are called
data. There are
many kinds of
graphs, each
having special
parts and used for
specific reasons.
KINDS OF GRAPHS
1. Circle Graph - is
shaped like a circle
[DUH!] .
- It is divided into
fractions that look
like pieces of pie, so
sometimes a circle
graph is called a pie
graph.
- Many times the
fractional parts are
of different colors
and a key that
explains the diff.
colored parts.
Circle graphs show
the relative
amounts making up a
whole.
Try this!
1. Based on the graph, which
gas accounts for most of
the mass of our
atmosphere?
2. Is Carbon dioxide a
significant component of
the atmosphere?
3. How does the amount of
Oxygen compare with the
amount of Nitrogen?
composition by mass…
4. How might deforestation
and the continuous
burning of fossil fuels
affect atmospheric
composition as described
by the chart?
BAR GRAPH
• A bar graph
uses bars to
show data. The
bars can be
vertical (up
and down), or
horizontal
(across). The
data can be in
words or
numbers.
A bar graph is useful
for displaying data sideby-side for comparison.
Try this!
Pay careful
attention to
the scale
used!
Know what is being compared!
Start by reading
the title- REALLY!
From: Virginia State Released Test
3. A picture graph
uses pictures or
symbols to show
data. One picture
often stands for
more than one unit
so a key is
necessary to
understand the
What could happen if you
quantities.
ignored the KEY in this
pictograph?
LINE GRAPH
• A line graph
shows points
plotted on a
graph. The
points are then
connected by a
line.
• Line graph
shows trends.
The trend can be…
Steadily increasing
Steadily decreasing
CST spits out so many line graphs!
3. Look for a KEY and
read it! Really!
1. It is very important to
read the title- REALLY!
2. Pay attention to the
AXES- REALLY!
4. Most importantly, look
at trends! Are values
going up? Going down?
Running up and down?
What is this graph trying to say?
The motion of a toy car
over time…
Q1. Is the toy car
moving at all?
Q2. Did the car
return to the same
spot it started from?
Q3. Describe the
car’s motion from
the 4th to the 10th s?
2008 Physical Science CST
List 3 kinds of information
this graph is conveying…
What is the optimum
percent of vitamin
supplement that
should be used to
promote the biggest
weight gain?
Now…try this!
Key is over here…Don’t
forget!
2005 CST Biology Released Questions
This graph
looks weird!
It’s still conveying
information though!
CST Biology, 2008