How to Construct Data Tables
and Graph Your Data
Proper Methods for Basic Lab Skills
Types of Variables
• Controlled Variable
▫ These are constant through any trials done in an
experiment.
• Manipulated Variable
▫ This is the variable that the experiment changes in
order to get a result
▫ This variable will ALWAYS go on the x-axis when
graphing
• Responding Variable
▫ This is the variable that is measured. It is the response
to the change in the manipulated variable
▫ This variable will ALWAYS go on the y-axis when
graphing
On your white boards, please
construct a data table to record
data about the time (in seconds) a
marble takes to fall a given height
(in cm – measured with a meter
stick).
You do NOT need to record data,
just set up your table with the
relevant information.
Basic Components of Data Tables
Title & # → Table 1: Time a Marble Takes to Fall from a Given Height
↓ Column Headings ↓
Absolute →
Uncertainty
Height
(± 0.05 cm)
Time
(± 0.05 s)
←Units!
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
10.00
0.14
0.11
0.13
20.00
0.23
0.26
0.25
30.00
0.47
0.50
0.49
40.00
1.00
0.95
0.98
50.00
1.62
1.63
1.63
60.00
2.05
2.03
2.04
↑
No Calculations
(Decimals Aligned!)
(Not even averages)
↑
Trials
On your white boards, please
construct a graph that depicts the
Displacement (in meters) a bike
travels in a given time (in
seconds).
You do NOT need to graph points,
just set up your graph.
Basic Components of Graphs
Displacement (m)
Title & # → Graph 1: The Displacement a Bicycle Travels With Time
↑ Label Each Axis! →
A note on uncertainties:
If you measured this quantity, include them
If you calculated this quantity, don’t include them
Time (s)
Now plot the following data on
your graph and draw a proper line
for the data set.
Table 1: The Displacement a Bicycle Travels With Time
Time (s)
Displacement (m)
10
40
25
90
40
70
50
130
65
75
80
160
85
140
95
210
Graphing Data
Displacement (m)
Graph 1: The Displacement a Bicycle Travels With Time
Clear Data Points
← Best Fit Line/Curve!
Scales! ↑ →
Time (s)
Types of Graphs: Linear
Types of Graphs: Quadratic
Types of Graphs: Exponential
Calculating the Slope
Displacement (m)
Graph 1: The Displacement a Bicycle Travels With Time
Point 2: (40,80)
Point 1: (12,40)
Time (s)
80 − 40 m 40m
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 =
=
= 1.5 m s
40 − 12 s
28s
Rise
Slope 
Run
y y2  y1
Slope 

x x2  x1
Writing an Equation for Your Line
Graph 1: The Displacement a Bicycle Travels With Time
Displacement (m)
y→d
𝒅 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝐦 𝐬 𝒕 + 𝟑𝟎𝐦
𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝐦
Intercept: (0,30)
Time (s)
x→t
𝒅 = 𝒎𝒕 + 𝒃
𝐬
𝒅 = 𝒎𝒕 + 𝟑𝟎𝐦
On Formal Lab Reports
• EVERYTHING needs to be computer processed:
▫ Graphs (LoggerPro inserted into Word)
▫ Tables (Word, Excel)
▫ Equations (Word Equations, Microsoft Equations,
Open Office Equations)