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How to best graph temperature and length, 10 trials and 20 data points?

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    How to best graph temperature and length, 10 trials and 20 data points?

    My son knows how to make a graph, but we're stumped how to proceed on the best graph for a science project. He ran 10 trials of the effects of temperature on a polymer (rubber band length with a weight at different temperatures).

    Below is 1 trial with 22 data points. He has 10 of these and we're not sure what would best, if anything. I'm completely open for suggestions, as I'm not sure the best to proceed.

    A tip we found said, "Make a line graph of the rubber band stretch length (y-axis) vs. the water temperature (x-axis). In the end you should have one graph with three lines, each representing a different trial with a different rubber band."

    So in our case, would be 10 lines? Ugh.. just not sure what to do.. averages of all data sets? Thoughts, suggestions, ideas? Thanks! Brad

    EDIT: This is an attempt to edit original post, which is showing blank when I edit. Below is data, attached is a workbook.

    DATE TIME TEMP (° C) LENGTH (cm)
    1/26/2015 4:55 PM 87.5 19
    1/26/2015 5:01 PM 81.5 20 3/4
    1/26/2015 5:06 PM 74.8 21 1/4
    1/26/2015 5:10 PM 70.4 21 3/4
    1/26/2015 5:14 PM 67.8 22 1/2
    1/26/2015 5:19 PM 64.3 23
    1/26/2015 5:24 PM 58.5 23
    1/26/2015 5:29 PM 54.2 23
    1/26/2015 5:34 PM 52.7 23
    1/26/2015 5:39 PM 51.6 23
    1/26/2015 5:44 PM 49.0 23
    1/26/2015 5:49 PM 47.3 23
    1/26/2015 5:54 PM 45.9 23
    1/26/2015 5:59 PM 44.4 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:04 PM 43.0 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:09 PM 41.5 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:14 PM 40.2 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:19 PM 38.7 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:24 PM 37.7 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:29 PM 36.5 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:34 PM 22.2 23 1/4
    1/26/2015 6:39 PM 22.5 23 1/4
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by Brad_in_FL; 02-09-2016 at 10:19 PM.

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    Re: How to best graph temperature and length, 10 trials and 20 data points?

    It seems to me that an XY scatter chart with 10 data series would be a good place to start. Note that there are significant differences in Excel between a "line" chart and a "scatter" chart, so that you would not want a line chart in this case. (see this discussion of the differences between line and scatter http://peltiertech.com/line-charts-vs-xy-charts/ ).

    If you are unfamiliar with how to create a scatter chart:
    1) select one of the data sets
    2) Insert -> scatter -> desired subtype (I would probably use line with marker for now).
    3) Chart tools -> Design -> Select Data -> Add the other 9 data series to the chart.
    4) Evaluate chart and format/edit as needed.

    That's where I would start. Plot the 10 series on a scatter chart, then see what I have and what adjustments I wanted to make from there.
    Quote Originally Posted by shg
    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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    Re: How to best graph temperature and length, 10 trials and 20 data points?

    Hi Brad and welcome to the forum,

    See if putting all the tests in a single table helps. See the attached.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    One test is worth a thousand opinions.
    Click the * Add Reputation below to say thanks.

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