ICT resources for science teachers

6. Plotting experiment data

As a science teacher you and your learners will be conducting many experiments and recording data. Use Microsoft Excel to enter the data, make calculations using scientific formulae and plot charts.

You can copy and paste both the data and the charts into Microsoft Word as you create worksheets, tests and exam papers.

Follow these steps to complete this activity. Look for contexts that are meaningful to you in your classroom.

1

Work in pairs (45 min)

Plotting the data

By way of introduction we will examine an example of plotting ticker timer data.

The data in Table 1 below represents results from a ticker timer experiment to investigate the displacement-time relationship for uniform linear motion.

The table contains data that is going to be used to explore the relationship between displacement and time. The numbers shown in red have been calculated using a spreadsheet.

.	t	t	s	s
0	0,00	0,00	0,00	0	0
1	0,20	0,20	0,32	0,32	1,60
2	0,40	0,20	0,65	0,33	1,65
3	0,60	0,20	0,97	0,32	1,60
4	0,80	0,20	1,28	0,31	1,55
5	1,00	0,20	1,60	0,32	1,60
6	1,20	0,20	1,91	0,31	1,55
7	1.40	0,20	2,24	0,33	1,65

Table 1: Displacement time relationship

• Complete the table in the spreadsheet by making use of spreadsheet formulae as suggested in the worksheet

How to use autofill

How to write formulae

How to set up the Equation Editor icon on your toolbar

How to write equations in Equation Editor

How to copy and paste between applications

Click here to open the example worksheet on ticker timer data

2

Work in pairs (45 min)

Charting the data

• Use your spreadsheet data of the ticker timer from the previous activity
• Plot a graph of displacement (s) on the Y-axis, against time (t) on the X-axis.

How to draw a chart

How to draw a line graph

How to draw a graph with more than one series

Click here to see a copy of what the graph should look like

Work in groups of 4 (30 min)

• Devise a set of questions that you would ask learners in order to help them develop an understanding
• Once you have developed the questions, see some suggested answers in the resources column by printing this page.

What is the shape of the graph?
What can you deduce from this about the relationship between the displacement and the elapsed time for the motion of the trolley?
What is represented by the gradient of the graph?
Calculate the actual average velocity of the trolley's motion from the graph.

4

Work on your own (between workshops)

• Think about the various data that you collect in science classes. Write down some ideas about how you could use the spreadsheet to plot and chart the data. Then write down some questions that you would ask the learners to help them understand the principles being illustrated by the data and chart.

You have the option of using the South African National Portal (Thutong) to enhance this workshop activity.