Name: __________________________________ Date Completed: _____________________________

Class: ____________ Lab Minutes: _______________ Teacher: _______________________________

Graphing Activities
This lab was created by Mr. Buckley from Edward Knox High School. Credit is given for this original activity to Mr. Buckley.

Introduction
Graphing is used by scientists to display the data that is collected during a controlled experiment.
A line graph must be constructed to accurately depict the data collected. An incorrect graph often
leads to the acceptance of an incorrect hypothesis or detract from the acceptance of a correct hypothesis.
The graph should contain 5 major parts: the title, the independent variable, the dependent variable,
the scales for each variable, and a legend.
1.) The title: this shows what the graph is about. Reading the title should give the reader
an idea about the graph. It should be a concise statement placed above the graph.
2.) The Independent Variable: this is the variable (part of the experiment that changes) that
can be controlled or manipulated by the experimenter. This variable should be placed on the
horizontal or x-axis.
3.) The Dependent Variable: this is the variable directly affected by the independent variable.
It is the result of what happens because of the independent variable. This variable is placed
on the y or vertical axis.
4.)

The Scales for each Variable: In constructing a graph, one needs to know where to plot
the points representing the data. In order to do this a scale must be employed that will include
all the data points. Each block should have a consistent amount or increment on a particular
axis. While the scale should allow as much of the graph to be taken up as possible, it is not
a good idea to set up a scale that is hard to manage. For example, multiples of 5, 10, etc.
are good, while multiples such as 1.22 are not! Your scale must be plotted on the amount
of graph space available, and will be dictated by the data points.

5.)

The Legend: this is a short descriptive narrative concerning the graph's data. It should be short
and to the point and placed directly under the graph.

Graphing Activity # 1
1.

Use the data in the table below to complete the graph provided. Remember to title your
graph, label the axes properly when setting up your scale, make a key, and to write a legend
for your graph when completed.
Depth in meters

Number of bubbles/min
Plant A

Number of Bubbles/min
Plant B

29

21

36

27

10

45

40

16

32

50

25

20

34

30

10

20

Legend:_____________________________________________________________________________
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Answer the following questions based on the graph above you just completed.
1. What is the independent variable? _____________________________________________________
2. Why is this the independent variable? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the dependent variable? ______________________________________________________
4. Why is this the dependent variable? ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5.

Use one or more complete sentences to state a conclusion about the data in graph # 1.

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Graphing Activity # 2
Diabetes is a disease affecting the insulin producing glands of the pancreas. If there is not enough
insulin being produced by the cells, the amount of glucose in the blood will remain high. A blood
glucose level above 140 for an extended period of time is not considered normal. This disease, if not
brought under control, will lead to severe complications and even death.
1.

Use the data in the table below to complete the graph provided. Remember to title your
graph, label the axes properly when setting up your scale, make a key, and to write a legend
for your graph when completed.

Time After Eating (hrs.)

Glucose Level in ml/liter of Glucose Level in ml/liter of

blood in person A
blood in person B

0.5

170

180

155

195

1.5

140

230

135

245

2.5

140

235

135

225

130

200

Legend:_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions based on the graph above you just completed.
1. What is the independent variable? _____________________________________________________
2. Why is this the independent variable? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the dependent variable? ______________________________________________________
4. Why is this the dependent variable? ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Which, if any of the above individuals has diabetes? Be sure to justify your answer!
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6. If the time period were extended to 6 hours, what would be the expected blood sugar level for
Person B? __________
7. What would be a probable blood sugar level for person B at 3.5 hours?
8.

________

Use one or more complete sentences to state a conclusion about the data in graph # 2.

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Graphing Activities Homework

The data table shows water temperatures at various depths in an ocean.
Water Depth (meters)

Temperature (C)

50

18

75

15

100

12

150

200

Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid,
following the directions below:
-- Create a title for the graph. Write the title at the top of the graph.
-- Mark an appropriate scale on the axis labeled "Water Depth (m).
-- Plot the data on the grid. Surround each point with a small circle and connect the
points.

Example:

Problems Based on Graphing Set One

1. Using a complete sentence, state the general relationship between temperature
and water depth. Example: As the water depth increases/decreases, the
temperature increases/decreases.
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2. The approximate water temperature at a depth of 125 meters would be closest
to:
(1) 15C (2) 8C (3) 13C (4) 3C

A student counted the total number of leaves in a group of duckweed plants over a 5-day period. The
data collected are shown in the table below.

Using the information in the data table, construct a line graph on the grid provided
following the directions below.
-- Mark an appropriate scale on each labeled axis.
-- Plot the data from the data table. Surround each point with a small circle and
connect the points.

Example:

Problems Based on Graphing Set Two

1. The time it takes for the number of leaves to increase from 15 to 30 is
approximately
(1) 2.0 days (2) 2.3 days (3) 2.9 days (4) 3.2 days
2. Using a complete sentence, state what would most likely happen to the
production of oxygen
by duckweed plants if the intensity and duration of exposure to light were
increased.
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