Graphing, Computer Graphing,

and Computer Assisted Calculations

One of the most important aspects of being a successful scientist is the ability to clearly and
concisely display information. Most data obtained in a laboratory setting comes in the form of
mixed data points, such as those seen in the table below (Table 1). Table 1 shows how much
carbon dioxide (CO2), a notorious greenhouse gas, is in the air at the Mauna Loa collection site
in Hawaii as a function of month in 2012.
Table 1: Concentration of CO2 by month
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

CO2 (in ppm)

393.07
393.34
394.37
396.45
396.87
395.88
394.52
392.54
391.14
391.02
392.99
394.39

Judging from this table, some general trends can be identified, such as the highest value of CO2
in the atmosphere is in the month of May. However, to better visualize trends, a graph of CO2
concentration versus month may be clearer. Graph 1 below is a visualization of the above data.

CO2 concentration(ppm)

Concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at the Mauna

Loa site in 2012 versus month

Month(numericallyassigned)

Graph 1: The concentration of CO2 at the Mauna Loa site versus the month the measurement
was recorded is displayed for 2012.

The previous graph highlights a few points that are true in all graphs (hand or computer):

The graph consists of two axes at right angles. The horizontal axis is referred to as the xaxis. The vertical axis is referred to as the y-axis.

The x-axis displays the variable that a scientist directly manipulates in an experiment
(typically called the independent variable). The y-axis displays the variable that changes
as a function of the experiment (typically called the dependent variable). Always include
units in any graph you create. A number without units is mostly meaningless in
chemistry.

The title of the graph gives all relevant information pertaining to what is displayed in the
graph. When instructed to make a graph, the y-axis is listed first, followed by the xaxis. (i.e. Concentration of CO2 vs. Month).

Choose a scale for the x and y axes that allow for a maximum portion of the graph to be
used. Note: you do NOT have to start a graph at zero and the x and y axes do not have to
have the same scale.

In this lab, there are two types of graphs that we will be making: smooth curve plots and linear
plots. Graph 1 is an example of a smooth curve plot. Smooth curve plots draw a smooth curve
through the data; do not play connect the dots with straight lines between the data points.
A linear plot is better represented if we take a step back and look at the concentration of CO2 at
Mauna Loa over a longer time period than just one year. Graph 2 below shows data from 19802012. Remember that this data comes from a huge data set, much, much larger than table 1.
Imagine trying to visualize the below graph if just given the data points!

CO2 concentration(ppm)

Concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at the Mauna Loa site

between 1980-2012 versus month

y=0.142x+335.98
R=0.9767

Month(numericallyassigned)

Graph 2: The concentration of CO2 at the Mauna Loa site versus month over the period from
1980-2012 shows a linear trend.

Linear graphs are represented by individual "scatter plot" points that are then connected by a
trendline (the black straight line in graph 2). The trendline is crucial in establishing a
relationship between your independent and dependent variables. A computer graphing program
can be used to create a trendline and the corresponding linear equation. This equation takes the
form of y = mx + b, where m is the slope of your line, and b is the y-intercept of the graph. This
equation allows you to calculate any y-value given any x-value. Additionally, the computer
program generates an R2 value that describes how well the linear equation fits your experimental
data. An R2 value close to 1 indicates an excellent linear fit, whereas an R2 value <0.90 suggests
your data is not accurately modeled by a line.

Use of Excel for graphing and calculations

The most common graphing and spreadsheet program that most people have access to is Excel.
Although it is not the most powerful graphing program, it can easily perform a multitude of
calculations and provide very useable plots.
Data Entry
The program opens into a spreadsheet, with rows and lettered columns. Enter the
data that you want to be on the x-axis in column A, and the data for the y-axis in
column B. (Remember: if you are instructed to make a graph of "volume vs.
temperature" then the volume is the y-axis and the temperature is the x-axis)
Formulas
Excel makes performing mathematical operations on a series of data very easy.
You can add columns of numbers or do any other type of operation. Formulas
always start with an = sign. Mathematical symbols, in order of operation,
include:
Parentheses () or brackets [] to group expressions
Exponents (a caret symbol, ^)
Division (a forward slash, /)
Multiplication (an asterisk, *)
Addition (a plus symbol, +)
Subtraction (a minus symbol, -)
Statistical Functions
Functions can be used to calculate the average, standard deviation, etc. on a large
set of data. Common functions include:
Average: =average(cell range)
Standard deviation: =stdev(cell range)
Minimum: =min(cell range)
Maximum: =max(cell range)
Other functions: (see the drop down list adjacent to the sigma () button)

Graphing
To make a graph, highlight the data in both columns and click on the INSERT tab
on the tool bar. Select the Scatter with only markers option, (use the plot with
only the points, no line).

Once the graph appears and is selected, click the LAYOUT tab and select both
Chart Title and Axis Titles options to assign the appropriate titles. Also, select
the GRIDLINES tab and eliminate all gridlines.
You will notice a small square off to the right of the graph saying Series 1.
This is generally only helpful if you are plotting more than one line on the same
graph. The rest of the time it is useless. To get rid of if, click on it and press
DELETE.
You can modify the axes to fit the range of your data in order to more fully fill the
axes. To do so, select an axis, right click, and select Format Axis from the menu.
Appropriate values for min, max, etc. can be entered. For example, note the range
of the Y axis in the Before vs. After figures below.

Drawing a Line Through the Data Points

If your graph is best modeled by a line, you will need to show the equation for the
best-fit line through your data points.
Click on a data point on your graph. Right click on the data point and select the
ADD TRENDLINE option. Under trendline options, make sure that a LINEAR
fit is chosen (it usually is by default). Click the two boxes that are options for
"display equation on chart" and "display R2 value on chart"

When you are ready to print, make sure you have the graph selected and then hit
PRINT (see example graph below).
yaxisvs.xaxis

yaxis

y=x+5
R=1

xaxis

Miscellaneous
To place more than one set of data on the same graph, add the second set of y data
to column C, highlight all three columns and choose INSERT as before.
To make the degree symbol when using temperature
For PCs hold down the ALT key and type 0186 using the number pad.
For Macs hold down the Option & Shift key and type 8
To enter data that is in scientific notation, use the letter E for x10. For
example, 5.4 x 10-5 would be entered as 5.4E-5.
For subscript text, such as the 2 in H2O, highlight the desired characters and
simultaneously press: CONTROL + =
For superscript text, such as the 3 in cm3, highlight the desired characters and
simultaneously press: CONTROL + SHIFT + =
To enter a carriage return in a text field, in order to get text on two lines, press:
ALT + ENTER. (The enter key by itself navigates to the next field.)
Cells can either be individually referenced (B4), as a list (B4,C6,D8) or as a range
of cells (B4:B23). A range of cells can be easily selected by simultaneously
holding down and dragging the cursor across a range of cells.

Experimental Procedure:
In this experiment, you will be asked to make 4 graphs: two by hand and two using the computer
program Excel. You will also explore Excels calculation and formula capabilities.

Part 1: Graphing By Hand

Following the information on page 1, make the following graphs, using the graph paper attached.
Graph 1:

Using the following data, plot temperature vs. time on the provided graph paper
and draw a best fit straight line through the data. Be sure to include proper labels
and use a ruler to draw lines.
Time, minutes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Graph 2:

Temperature, C
23.4
24.6
25.8
26.3
27.4
29.3
30.2
31.1
32.9
34.2

Using the following data, plot A vs. wavelength on the provided graph paper and
draw a smooth curve (not a straight line) through the data points. Once again, be
sure to include all labels.
wavelength, nm
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
650
700

A
0.100
0.150
0.300
0.754
0.648
0.432
0.333
0.432
0.655

Part 2: Graphs Using Excel

Be sure to follow the information given on pages 1-3 regarding graphing and especially those
regarding the use of Excel to make the following plots.
Graph 1:

Using Excel, make a linear graph of the following data of density vs. percent
ethanol. Display the equation of the line and r-squared value, and appropriately
label the axes and chart title.
% Ethanol
0.0
10.0
30.0
50.0
70.0
90.0
100.0

Graph 2:

Density (g/mL)
0.998
0.982
0.954
0.914
0.868
0.818
0.789

Using the following data, make a smooth curve plot of pH vs. volume. To make a
smooth curve plot, when choosing scatter plot, choose the one with the smooth
curve through the data points. Appropriately label the axes and chart title.
Volume, mL
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70

pH
4.33
4.44
4.51
4.62
4.88
6.15
7.65
9.15
9.45
9.55
9.65
9.72
9.78
9.85
9.92

Part 3: Spreadsheet And Formula Entry

1.

Enter the following headers into top cells of 8 columns of the spreadsheet:
Mass (g), Volume (mL), Density (g/mL), Ave Mass (g), % Dev Mass,
Ave Density (g/mL), True Density (g/mL), % Error

2.

Enter the following data into the first 2 columns, under the Mass and Volume headers:
Mass (g)
3.2204
3.2041
3.2991
3.2000
3.2518

Volume (mL)
10.32
10.30
10.33
10.27
10.29

Use the entered data to perform calculations for density.

Remember that: density = mass/volume
Using the appropriate syntax for a spreadsheet formula (start the formula with =) that
will use the data in the first 2 columns for this calculation, enter a formula in the first cell
under the Density header. If the values for the first row of data, 3.2204 and 10.32 are in
cells A2 and B2 respectively, the formula in cell C2 should be the expression =A2/B2,
and the value displayed should be the results of the calculation.

Copy the density formula in cell C2 into the cells below it. This can be accomplished by
copying the density formula in the first cell and pasting it into the remaining cells below.
Alternatively, select the first cell (C2), then drag the lower right-hand + sign in the cell
down the column. This will apply the formula to the other relative mass and volume data
there. Density values should now appear in all cells under the Density (g/mL) header.

Adjust the display format of the calculated cells to the correct number of significant
figures. (Increase/Decrease Decimal buttons)

In the first cell under the Ave Mass (g) header, enter a formula for determining the
average of the mass values. Alternatively, Excel contains the special function Average
for this formula. An average value should now appear in the cell.

Perform a percent deviation analysis on the mass measurement data. Remember the
equation for percent deviation,
(experimental value average value)
average value

x 100 % = % deviation (+ or -)

In the first cell directly under the %Dev Mass header, enter a spreadsheet formula for
determining the percent deviation of the mass value on the same row, using the newly
calculated average mass value in its permanent cell position. When using a permanent
cell location in a formula (like the average value in this calculation), a $ sign must be
placed in front of the cell letter and cell number (e.g. $C$9 instead of C9). A percent

deviation value should now appear in the cell. Check the spreadsheets value by
performing the same calculation on your scientific calculator.
8

When the spreadsheet formula for the percent deviation calculation is correct in the first
cell, then select that cell and drag the lower right-hand + sign down the column to apply
the formula to the other relative mass data in each row. Percent deviation values should
appear in all cells under the % Dev Mass header now. If necessary, format the new
values to the appropriate amount of sig figs.

To calculate an average density value in the cell under Ave Density (g/mL) header, enter
a spreadsheet formula that is similar to the formula that was entered for the average mass
in step 6. Check the spreadsheet calculation by performing the same calculation on your
scientific calculator. If necessary, format the new value to the appropriate amount of sig
figs.

10

Enter the following true density value in the cell under True Density (g/mL): 0.31779

11

Perform a percent error analysis on the average density value. Remember the equation for
percent error:
(experimental value true value)
true value

x 100 % =

% error (+ or -)

In the first cell directly under the % Error header, enter a spreadsheet formula for
determining the percent error of the average density value as compared to the above true
density value. A percent error value should now appear in the cell. Check the
spreadsheets value by performing the same calculation on your scientific calculator.
Format the new value to the appropriate amount of sig figs.
12

The display should be similar to this, with appropriately rounded and formatted values for
all Xs:
Mass (g) Volum Density
Ave
e (mL) (g/mL) Mass (g)
3.2204 10.32
X
X
3.2041 10.30
X
3.2991 10.33
X
3.2000 10.27
X
3.2518 10.29
X

%Dev
Mass
X
X
X
X
X

Ave Density True Density

(g/mL)
(g/mL)
X
X

%Error
X

Part 4 Scatter Graphs and Trendlines

1. Enter the following data into a new spreadsheet:
Concentration (M)
0.000
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.400

Absorbance
0.000
0.324
0.488
0.650
0.796
0.944
1.256

Unknown 1 Absorbance
0.550

Unknown 1 Concentration (M)

2. Insert an XY Scatter chart (only dots, no line) with Concentration data as the horizontal (X)
axis and Absorbance data as the Series (Y) axis. Select the entire set of cells with numbers
above to set the Data Range.
3. Format the chart to add minor gridlines on both axes. Label each axis and title the graph.
4. Add a linear trendline to the plot, which will give a line that is a best fit to the data. The
trendline may be forced to include the (0,0) data point if desired. Then, format the
trendline to display the R2 value and the equation of the line on the graph. The equation of
the line represents the relationship between the concentration and absorbance values, and can
be used to calculate any other values on lying on the line. The R2 value gives a numerical
value to how well the data points fit on the line (with 1.000 being the best fit, when all data
points are on the line).
5. The trendline equation represents the relationship between the concentration values and the
absorbance values. This equation can now be utilized to calculate the unknown
concentration of a solution when the solutions absorbance is known. Select the cell under
the Unknown 1 Concentration and enter a spreadsheet formula that will calculate the
unknowns concentration, using the trendline equation (rearranged) and the unknowns
absorbance data. Perform the same calculation on your calculator to check the spreadsheet
value for accuracy. Re-format the displayed value if it does not display the appropriate
amount of sig figs.
6. The display should be similar to this, with appropriately rounded and formatted value for X:
Concentration (M)
0.000
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.400

Absorbance
0.000
0.324
0.488
0.650
0.796
0.944
1.256

Unknown 1 Absorbance
0.550

Print and turn in the two graphs from Part 2,

the displays of results of Excel generated
calculations from Parts 2 & 3, and this chart.

Unknown 1 Concentration (M)

X

NAME _______________________________

NAME _______________________________