DATA DO NOT WRITE DOWN ANYTHING IN GREEN

IIn an experiment there are 2 types of variables IINDEPENDENT VARIABLES & DDEPENDANT VARIABLES VARIABLES

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE  This is the variable we can control in an experiment.  Independent variables are set up ahead of time, before you start following your procedures

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE  On a graph, this variable goes on the X axis

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE  Examples of Independent variables:  Time (seconds)  Distance (meters)  Amount (grams)

DEPENDENT VARIABLE  Dependent variables are measured during the experiment, after you start following your procedures.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE  On a graph, this variable goes on the Y axis.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE  Examples of common Dependent variables:  Temperature, Mass or amounts that change as you go.

RULES OF GRAPHING  Follow these simple rules for GREAT GRAPHS

RULE # 1.  1. Always draw neat lines with a straight edge or ruler

RULE # 2.  Make your graph 1/2 page or 1 full page in size.

RULE # 3.  Label three places on your graph.  1. TITLE

RULE # 3 cont.  2. label the x-axis with the independen t variable.

RULE # 3 cont.  3. label the y-axis with the dependen t variable

RULE # 4.  Number the x and y axis with a numerical sequence starting with 0, so it fills the entire axis.  examples: 0, 5, 10,  0, 2, 4, 6,.., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0

RULE # 5.  Number the x and y axis on the lines of the graph, not the spaces between the lines

RULE # 6.  If your graph shows more than one trial of data, or has more than 1 line, USE A KEY  A key can be different colored lines, lines with different textures or patterns.

Why Draw a Line of Best Fit?  A line of best fit emphasizes the overall trend shown by all the data taken as a whole. Chapter 1 Introduction to Physical Science

Good Luck and Happy Data Collecting!