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Graphing Data: Investigation 2B: Graphical Relationships

This document discusses graphing data to compare theoretical predictions to observational measurements. It provides examples of plotting distance vs. time for constant speed, height vs. time for falling objects, current vs. resistance, and temperature vs. time for cooling. The reader is asked to identify the best-fit model (line, parabola, exponential, or inverse) and parameters for each dataset. Additionally, it discusses representing data using pie charts, bar charts, and stacked bar charts, and when each type of visual is best to use.

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ella
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295 views

Graphing Data: Investigation 2B: Graphical Relationships

This document discusses graphing data to compare theoretical predictions to observational measurements. It provides examples of plotting distance vs. time for constant speed, height vs. time for falling objects, current vs. resistance, and temperature vs. time for cooling. The reader is asked to identify the best-fit model (line, parabola, exponential, or inverse) and parameters for each dataset. Additionally, it discusses representing data using pie charts, bar charts, and stacked bar charts, and when each type of visual is best to use.

Uploaded by

ella
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Graphing data

Investigation 2B: Graphical relationships

The accuracy of a scientific theory is often assessed by comparing the predictions of theory with real
observational data. For example, if a theory predicts how fast an object's speed changes, then actual
measurements should agree with the theory to within the limits of experimental error. The data
provided in the simulation show how some quantities for objects change under different conditions.
The examples include: an object moving at constant speed; an object dropped from rest; current
through a resistor varying with resistance; and an object cooling over time.

Part 1: Matching models to data


1. Plot time on the x-axis by selecting "x" for the
column labeled “Time (s).” Plot distance on the
y-axis for an object moving at constant speed by
selecting "y" for the column labeled “Distance
(m).” Adjust the scale on the graph so all data
points are visible.
2. Choose a model equation (line, parabola,
exponential, or inverse) to try and fit the data.
3. Change parameters for that model to fit the data.

Questions
a. What model and parameters are a good fit to
this distance vs. time graph?

b. Are equal numbers of data points plotted above and below your model line or curve? Why
would this be important?

c. Repeat these steps for a graph of the object dropped from rest, using data for height versus time
(columns 1 and 3). What model and parameters are a good fit to this these data?

d. Repeat these steps for a graph of electric current versus resistance, using data in the fourth and
fifth columns. What model and parameters are a good fit to these data?

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e. Repeat these steps for a graph of a cooling object using the temperature and time data (in
columns 1 and 6). What model and parameters are a good fit to these data?

Part 2: Other ways to represent data: pie and bar charts


1. Use the data below to construct a pie chart, bar
chart, and stacked bar chart. Be sure to label your
charts!

Questions
a. In the pie chart, how can you tell visually which
category uses the most power?

b. What is the advantage or disadvantage of representing these data with each of these kinds of
charts?

c. When would you choose a pie or bar chart to plot data?

d. In what cases would you choose a line graph to plot data?

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Applying new knowledge
1. Which of the following is the result of converting 2700 meters to miles? One mile is equal to
1609 meters.

A. 1.7 mi B. 4,340,000 mi C. 37 mi D. 83 mi

2. The graph shows the data for an experiment


that uses a rubber band to launch small
rockets of different masses straight up.
The rubber band is stretched the same
amount for each rocket. Answer the
following questions based on the graph.

a. What is the independent variable in this


experiment and what is its range of values?

b. Does the relationship between height and mass appear to be direct or inverse?

c. How high would you expect a rocket of 120 grams to fly?

d. Suppose you observe a height of 7 meters. Estimate the mass of the rocket.

3. A position-time graph for a bicycle trip is shown below. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the independent variable?

b. What is the average velocity from 0 to 4 s?

c. What is the instantaneous velocity at 5 s?

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