GRAPHING DATA

In the chemistry laboratory the line graph is the most common graph. The line graph has a horizontal x-axis, or
abscissa, and a vertical y-axis, or ordinate. The scale and units on each axis represents the units and range of
measurements obtained. The scale on the two axes need not be the same size; however, each subdivision on an
axis must have a constant value.

PART A. DRAWING A GRAPH OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Prepare a graph by hand based on the following experimental data with Volume is the y-axis, Temperature is x-
axis:

Volume, mL 27 30 32 36 38 40
Temperature, oC 25 50 75 100 125 150

1. Draw and label the x-axis and the y-axis. Draw axes with a straight edge or ruler. Usually, the
independent variable, the variable you control in an experiment, is drawn on the x-axis. The dependent
variable, the variable you measure, is plotted on the y-axis. Label each axis with the appropriate unit.
Since we control the independent variable it will be the variable that changes in a regular pattern.

2. Select scale for each axis. Select a scale for each axis so that the data points fill, or nearly fill, the entire
page of graph paper. The subdivisions of the scale should be easy to read and interpret.

3. Place each data point clearly at the appropriate place on the graph.

4. Title the graph. The title should communicate the data represented by the graph. An example of a title to
use is: dependent variable vs. independent variable.

5. Draw the best straight line through the data points. You want the line to come as close to as many of the
data points as possible. Possibly, the line does not touch all data points. It represents the best averaging
of data points.

6. The line drawn in step 5 can be described by the general equation:

y = mx + b
In the equation, m is the slope and b is the intersection of the line along the y-axis at
x =0. The slope (m) is = or

7. Answer the questions on the data sheet and attach your graph to the data sheet.
PART B. PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE DATA (Using Excel)
How to make a Graph in Microsoft Excel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMEhjbhtfxQ&vl=en

Pressure of a sample of air was measured at various temperatures. The following data was
obtained from these measurements, pressure should be on the y-axis.

Pressure, mm Hg 712.0 751.0 788.0 824.0 865.0

Temperature, oC 15.0 30.0 45.0 60.0 75.0

Answer the questions on the data sheet and attach your graph to the data sheet.

PART C. GRAPHING MASS AND VOLUME DATA (Using Excel)

The following mass and volume measurements were made of five pieces of the same metal, mass should be
on the y-axis:

Mass, g: 0.0 4.8 8.0 16.0 19.0 27.0

Volume, mL: 0.0 0.5 0.9 1.8 2.1 3.0

The slope of the best fit line (the trend line) will also be the density of your sample since your y axis is mass
and your x axis is volume = Density of the sample

Refer to the table below to identity the sample (closest density).

Metals/Alloys Density,
aluminum 2.70
chromium 7.09
copper 8.92
duriron 7.00
iron 7.86
lead 11.34
nickel 8.90
stainless steel 7.75
tin 5.75
Wood’s metal 9.70
Zinc 7.08
Part A: Graph draw by hand
PART A. Data Sheet

NAME____________________________ SECTION_________________

Use the temperature-volume graph that you have drawn to answer the following questions:

1. Calculate the slope of the line (y = mx + b) you have drawn by using two points that are not data
points.
Show your calculations here.

2. Using the slope from question 2 and one set of points from question 2 solve for your y intercept (b)

3. Write the complete equation of the line: y = ________x + _______

4. On your graph estimate the volume of gas when the temperature is 60°C? __________

5. Using equation 3 what is the volume of gas when the temperature is 60°C? _________

6. On your graph estimate the temperature when the volume of gas is 37 mL? _________

7. Using equation 3 what is the temperature when the volume of gas is 37 mL? _________

Attach your graph to this data sheet.

PART B. Data Sheet
Based on your graph in Excel:
1. What was the equation of the best fit line (the trendline)?

2. Using question 1, what is the pressure of the sample of air at room temperature, 25°C?
 3. Using question 1, what is the temperature when the air sample has a pressure of 800 mm Hg?

4. Calculate the slope of the line.

Attach your graph to this data sheet.

Pressure and temperature data

1000
900
800
700
600
Pressure

500
400
300
200
100
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Temperature

Series2 Linear (Series2)

LAB 4: Part C. Mass and Volume

Based on your graph in Excel:

A. The density of the sample is_____________________________

B. The identity of the sample is______________________________

Attach your graph to this data sheet.

Mass and volume data

20
18
16
14
12
10
Mass

8
6
4
2
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Volume

Series2 Linear (Series2)