Graphing and Analyzing Data
Tornadoes are powerful storms that can destroy towns in minutes. Scientists study them to keep us safe, but collecting data isn’t enough—it must be presented clearly. That’s where graphs help!
From 1950 to 2007, Clearwater, Florida, had an average of 7.4 tornadoes per 1000 square miles annually, while Lubbock, Texas, had just 1.6.
A bar graph represents these values side-by-side, making the data easy to understand at a glance.
Similarly, data from 1986 to 1995 shows that 55% of all U.S. tornadoes were rated F0, the weakest on the scale, while only 0.1% were rated F5, the strongest.
This can be represented using a circle graph, which is great for showing parts of a whole and highlights how most tornadoes are weak, with only a tiny fraction being extremely powerful.
Line graphs tell a story over time, such as tracking tornadoes by month.
From 2009 to 2011, the average number of tornadoes peaked at 371 in April and dropped to 34 in December. Connecting these averages shows the seasonal trends, with tornadoes most common in spring.
Graphing and Analyzing Data
Graphs help scientists recognize patterns, make predictions, and explain observations. Organizing data into a graph makes it easier to understand and communicate scientific findings.
Different types of graphs represent different kinds of information:
- Line Graphs – Show changes over time, such as the speed of a moving object.
- Bar Graphs – Compare values, like the strength of different materials.
- Pie Charts – Represent parts of a whole, such as how energy is used in a home.
- Scatter Plots – Show relationships, like how adding more force affects an object's speed.
Choosing the right type of graph helps scientists analyze and share data effectively.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Using Mathematics in Science
Scientists use mathematics and graphs to organize data and identify patterns. You can practice this by collecting and graphing your own data.
Activity Ideas:
Choose something to measure, such as:
- How fast a toy car rolls down ramps of different slopes.
- How long does ice take to melt at different temperatures?
- The time it takes for different objects to fall from the same height.
Steps:
- Record your data in a table.
- Create a graph to display your results.
- Look for patterns; what does your graph reveal?
- Share and discuss your findings.
Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Patterns
Patterns help scientists recognize relationships in nature and predict outcomes. When data is organized into a graph, patterns become easier to see, allowing scientists to make informed conclusions.
- A ball slows down due to friction.
- More force makes an object move faster.
- A pendulum swings in a repeating motion.
By analyzing these patterns, scientists make predictions and gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Whether studying motion, energy, or forces, graphs turn numbers into meaningful discoveries.
Tornadoes are powerful storms that can destroy towns in minutes. Scientists study them to keep us safe, but collecting data isn’t enough—it must be presented clearly. That’s where graphs help!
From 1950 to 2007, Clearwater, Florida, had an average of 7.4 tornadoes per 1000 square miles annually, while Lubbock, Texas, had just 1.6.
A bar graph represents these values side-by-side, making the data easy to understand at a glance.
Similarly, data from 1986 to 1995 shows that 55% of all U.S. tornadoes were rated F0, the weakest on the scale, while only 0.1% were rated F5, the strongest.
This can be represented using a circle graph, which is great for showing parts of a whole and highlights how most tornadoes are weak, with only a tiny fraction being extremely powerful.
Line graphs tell a story over time, such as tracking tornadoes by month.
From 2009 to 2011, the average number of tornadoes peaked at 371 in April and dropped to 34 in December. Connecting these averages shows the seasonal trends, with tornadoes most common in spring.
Tornadoes are powerful storms that can destroy towns in minutes. Scientists study them to keep us safe, but collecting data isn’t enough—it must be presented clearly. That’s where graphs help!
From 1950 to 2007, Clearwater, Florida, had an average of 7.4 tornadoes per 1000 square miles annually, while Lubbock, Texas, had just 1.6.
A bar graph represents these values side-by-side, making the data easy to understand at a glance.
Similarly, data from 1986 to 1995 shows that 55% of all U.S. tornadoes were rated F0, the weakest on the scale, while only 0.1% were rated F5, the strongest.
This can be represented using a circle graph, which is great for showing parts of a whole and highlights how most tornadoes are weak, with only a tiny fraction being extremely powerful.
Line graphs tell a story over time, such as tracking tornadoes by month.
From 2009 to 2011, the average number of tornadoes peaked at 371 in April and dropped to 34 in December. Connecting these averages shows the seasonal trends, with tornadoes most common in spring.
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