Physics 1401 Lab

Spring 2025

Experiment 1
Graphical Representations and Analysis

Ms. Sara Jafghali

Learning Objectives:
▪ Understand the importance of graphical representations.
▪ Learn how to use MS. Excel to plot and analyze data.
 ▪ Explore linear and non-linear graphical relationships.
▪ Compare different data sets and make appropriate conclusions.

Pre Lab Questions: (17 points)

Read the introduction below carefully and answer the following questions in your own words.
1) What is the purpose of the experiment? (2 points)
The purpose is to get familiar with excel and understand details of graph of displacement vs
time
2) What is the purpose of graphical representations? (3 points)
The purpose is to simplify and analyse numerical data
3) List the main steps involved in plotting graphs. (4 points)
Gather dara ,Choose variable for the x and y axis determine the graph type and then the
equation (slope)
4) Describe the process of selecting appropriate scales for the axes of a graph. (3 points)
Choose scales that cover all data precisely and use intervals that make the graph easy to
interpret
5) Why is it important to label graphs and their axes? (2 points)
To make the graph readable and easy to understand for the audience
6) What is extrapolation and why do we use it in graphs? (3 points)

It predicts values between data range helps estimate future outcomes

Introduction
Most Physics lab experiments involve collecting data and analyzing it in order to determine and
understand the relationship between different physical quantities.
Graphical representations offer a great way to visualize the data collected as they provide a
simplified and concise visual image of data sets that might be complex and /or large.
The visualization of data helps identify patterns and trends as they become more apparent in
graphs, which in turn makes it easier to compare between different data sets and identify major
similarities or differences.
With appropriate analysis, the mathematical relationships between the variables being plotted can
be determined and further predictions, beyond the collected data, can be made.
Besides visualizing and analyzing data, graphs are also a great tool for presenting summarized
results and communicating important findings to an audience, even when the latter lacks
technical background in the field.
Example of Graphical Analysis:

2
A direct linear relationship between two variables is depicted by a straight line on a graph, such
that as one variable changes, the second variable changes proportionally making the rate of
change constant.
The equation of a straight line is in the form of:

𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃

Where:

𝒚: represents the dependent variable.

𝒙: represents the independent variable.
•

𝒎: denotes the slope of the line, and it depicts the rate of change of the dependent
•
•
variable (𝒚) with respect to the independent variable (𝒙).
The slope can also be viewed as a measure of the steepness/ incline of the line. The
higher the slope, the greater the rate of change, and the steeper the line.
To compute the slope, we use the following formula:

𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑒 ∆𝑦 𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒(𝒎) = = =
𝑅𝑢𝑛 ∆𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
When:
- 𝒎 > 𝟎 ➔ As x increases, y increases proportionally.
Graphically, and as we move from left to right, the line goes up.
- 𝒎 < 𝟎 ➔ As x increases, y decreases proportionally.
Graphically, and as we move from left to right, the line goes down.
- 𝒎 = 𝟎 ➔ As x increases, y stays constant.
Graphically, and as we move from left to right, the line neither increases nor decreases; it
remains horizontal.

Figure 1: Graphical representations depicting different slopes.

• 𝒃: represents the y-intercept, which is the point where the line intersects with the y-axis.

3
 The y-intercept is the value of y when 𝒙 = 𝟎.

Figure 2: Direct Linear Relationship Graphical Representation

To estimate or predict values outside of the original data range, we use extrapolation.
Extrapolation involves extending the observed pattern identified within the existing data. It
assumes that the identified trend will continue to be the same even beyond the known range;
therefore, it involves some uncertainties. The farther away our projections are from the known
data set, the lower the accuracy of our predictions.
Graphically, a dashed line can be used for extrapolations to larger or smaller values that fall
outside of the original data set.
Figure 2 above shows extrapolation to values smaller than the given data set. When the dashed
line is extended until it intersects with the y-axis, the extrapolation also allows to predict the
yintercept of the line.

Experimental Procedure:
As explained above, graphs are powerful tools that help visualize data and facilitate its analysis.
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program that offers a wide range of tools and functionalities
that allow users to organize, manipulate, and visualize data.
Below are detailed steps on how to use Microsoft Excel for plotting purposes.

1) Launch Microsoft Excel.

2) Identify the data to be plotted. When told to plot S versus T, S is the dependent variable and
t is the independent variable.
By convention, the dependent variable is plotted on the vertical/ y-axis and the independent
variable is plotted on the horizontal/ x-axis.
3) In the excel spreadsheet, make a table consisting of two columns. Each column should
contain values corresponding to one of the two variables under study.
Use the first row of the table to specify the label of each column along with the unit of the
parameter whose values are entered in the column.
For the values to be plotted properly, the x values should be entered in the first column
meaning to the left of the y values in the excel spreadsheet.

4
4) After entering the data properly, select the data to be plotted from the table and insert a graph.
5) Choose the chart type that would best represent your data set.
Figure 3 below shows how to choose a scatter graph that shows data points only without a
connecting line.

Figure 3: Steps to insert a chart in Microsoft Excel

6) Once the chart is plotted and displayed, provide a meaningful title that describes what is
plotted in the chart.
Next, add axes labels, which should specify both the label of the quantity being represented in
the axis and its unit. Velocity (m/s) is an example of an axis label.
To add the necessary chart elements, select the chart and navigate to the ‘chart design’ tab as
illustrated in the screenshot below (Figure 4).
- For the title: Click on Add Chart Element ➔ Chart Title ➔ Above Chart.
- For the axes’ labels: Click on Add Chart Element ➔Axis Titles ➔ Primary Horizontal/
Vertical.
7) Add a trendline to the plotted data. The trendline represents the best possible fit to your data.
- To add a trendline: Click on Add Chart Element ➔ Trendline ➔ More Trendline Options
➔ Choose the appropriate trendline that corresponds to the data plotted.
8) Display the equation on the chart that describes the best-fit line/ curve of your data.

5
 Figure 4: Steps to add Chart Elements in Microsoft Excel.

N.B.: The chart elements listed above can also be added through clicking on the button
that appears on the side of the graph.
Also, note that you might need to adjust the steps above depending on the excel version that
you work with.

Graphical Representations and Analysis:

Consider an experiment that is designed to measure the displacement of a moving body (in
meters) with respect to time (in seconds). The table below displays the data collected:
S (m) 0.27 1.08 2.43 4.32 6.75 9.72
t (sec) 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60

Part 1: Depicting Non-Linear Relationship (20 points)

1) To better visualize how the displacement of the object changes with respect to time and
determine the relationship between the two variables, plot a graph that represents
displacement versus time using MS. Excel. (10 points)
Choose the scatter graph that shows both the markers for data points and the connecting line/
curve.
2) Add a trendline to the plotted data and display the equation that best describes the data set
plotted on the graph. (2.5*2 = 5 points)
3) Describe the shape of the graph that you got. (2 points)
4) What can you conclude about the change in the object’s position with respect to time. (3
points)
Part 2: Depicting Direct Linear Relationship (33 points)

6
Consider the formula below, which describes the displacement of an object that start from rest:

𝑆 = 1 𝑎𝑡2
2
To verify the relationship above, we need to plot 𝑆 versus 𝑡2. If the graph is a straight line with
a y-intercept = 0 and a constant slope = 𝑎, then the relationship holds. 2

1) In the same excel table that you created for part 1, add a third column for 𝑡2 values. Compute
the values of 𝑡2 using excel functions. (3 points)
2) Plot a graph of 𝑆 versus 𝑡2 in MS. Excel. Choose a scatter graph that shows data points
only without a connecting line. (10 points)
3) Describe the shape of the graph. (2 points)
4) Determine the relationship between 𝑆 and 𝑡2 based on the shape of the graph that you
plotted. (3 points)
5) Add a trendline that best describes the plotted data set. (2.5 points)
6) Display the equation that describes the best-fit line/ curve of your data. (2.5 points)
7) Determine the y-intercept from the equation of the 𝑆 versus 𝑡2 graph (Include the unit). (2
points)
8) Determine the slope from the equation of the graph (Include the unit). (2 points)
9) Compute the slope using the formula of slope. The points chosen to calculate the slope
should be relatively far apart. (3 points)
10) Compare the slope values that you got in the two previous questions by computing the
percent difference. (3 points)
|𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠|
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = * 100
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠

Conclusions (8 points)
What did you learn from today’s experiment and what can you conclude from it?