1. Analyzing Experimental Data The Straight Line D as a function of T
With Calculator Screens
Created for CVCA Physics by
Dick Heckathorn
30 August 2K+4
Chapter 1 Section 7 Page 21

2. A. Getting Ready 1. [On] [Mode] 2. Normal Float
Degree Func
Connected Sequential
Real Full
3. To Exit: [2nd] [Quit]

3. B. Clearing Lists 1. [Stat] [Edit] 2. Place cursor over list header
4. []
5. Repeat for each header

4. C. Re-name Columns/Store Data
1. Cursor over blank header
2. [2nd] [INS] ‘T’ [Enter] []
3. Cursor over blank header
4. [2nd] [INS] ‘D’ [Enter] []
5. Enter data in correct column.
T (s)
D( m)

6. D. Clear Active Graphing
1 [y=]
2. clear any equations

7. D. Clear Active Graphing
3. [2nd] [stat plot]
4. [4:PlotsOff]
5. [Enter]
Will plot ‘D’ as a function of ‘T’

8. E. Preparing to Graph 1. [2nd] [Stat Plot]
2. With cursor at 1: [Enter]
3. a. on
b. Type: select 1st graph (points)
c. Xlist to: ‘T’ [2nd] [List] ‘T’
Ylist to: ‘D’ [2nd] [List] ‘D’
d. Mark: square

10. (This allows all points to be plotted using all of the screen.)
E. Graphing Data
1. [Zoom]
[9: ZoomStat]
(This allows all points to be plotted
using all of the screen.)

11. E. Graphing Data
2. Graph

12. E. Graphing Data
3. [Windows]
a. Set both ‘Xmin=’ and ‘Ymin=’ to zero

13. (If can’t see horizontal & vertical axes) [2nd] [Format] [AxesOn”]
E. Graphing Data
3. b. [Graph]
(This shows all of 1st quadrant)
(If can’t see horizontal & vertical axes)
[2nd] [Format] [AxesOn”]

14. F. Finding the Equation Shape of line is?
1. a straight going through origin.
From this we can determine?
2. Equation of the straight line using:
y = mx + b concept

15. F. Finding the Equation zero because? 3. The value of b is?
it crosses the y axis at zero
4. What is the equation?

16. F. Finding the Equation
[Stat] [Calc]
[4:LinReg(ax+b)]

17. F. Finding the Equation 3. [2nd] [List] ‘T’, ‘,’ 4. [2nd] [List] ‘D’
5. [Enter]

18. F. Finding the Equation
6. On screen we see:

19. y = ax + b F. Finding the Equation Starting with:
Substituting 28 m/s for ‘a’ and zero for ‘b’, one gets:
Replacing ‘y’ with ‘D’ and ‘x’ with ‘T’ one gets the equation:

20. G. Relationship Since b = 0, we can say;
D is directly proportional to T
What does this means?

21. H. Plotting Line of Best Fit
1. [y=]

22. H. Plotting Line of Best Fit
[VARS]
[5:Statistics…]
[EQ]
[1:RegEq]

23. H. Plotting Line of Best Fit
[Enter]
[Graph]
Add graph

24. I. Summary
Since the first graph yielded a straight line, we then found the equation of this straight line.

25. Do not go on unless you have completed the above.
J. A Final, Final Thought
At this time, write out a brief summary using bullet points for what you did.
Do not go on unless you have completed the above.

26. General Summary ▪ Get Ready ▪ Clear Lists ▪ Rename Columns/Store Data
▪ Clear Active Graphing
▪ Graph Data
▪ Find the Equation
▪ Plot Line of Best Fit

27. K. A Shortcut 1. Using original data, plot ‘D’ as a function of ‘T’
2. [Stat] [Calc] [A:PwrReg]

28. K. A Shortcut
4. [2nd] [List] ‘T’ [,]
5. [2nd] [List] ‘D’ [Enter]

29. K. A Shortcut
5. On screen we see:

30. K. A Shortcut
y = a*x^b
Starting with:
Substituting 28 m/s for a and 1 for b, one gets:
Replacing ‘y’ with ‘D’ and ‘x’ with ‘T’ one gets the equation:

31. L. Summary
6. How does this equation compare to that found earlier?
They should be the same.

32. That’s all folks!