Grade: Grade 5 Subject: Science Unit: Matter & Properties SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Science

Data and Graphs: Analyzing Matter

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Why Do Scientists Use Data and Graphs?

Scientists collect data (information from observations and measurements) during investigations. But raw numbers can be hard to understand! That's why scientists organize data in tables and create graphs to visualize patterns and relationships. Graphs help us see trends, compare values, and communicate findings to others.

Organizing Data in Tables

A well-organized data table makes information easy to read and analyze. Every data table should have:

A clear title that describes what was measured
Column headers with units of measurement (g, mL, degrees C)
Neat rows with one observation per row
Consistent format for all numbers and values

Example: Density Investigation Data

Object	Mass (g)	Volume (mL)	Density (g/mL)	Result
Wood Block	15	25	0.6	Floats
Metal Bolt	45	6	7.5	Sinks
Plastic Cube	8	10	0.8	Floats
Glass Marble	5	2	2.5	Sinks
Rubber Eraser	12	10	1.2	Sinks

Types of Graphs

Different types of graphs are used for different purposes. Choose the right graph to best show your data!

📊 Bar Graph

Uses bars to compare different categories or groups. Great for comparing values side by side.

Best for: Comparing mass or density of different objects

📈 Line Graph

Shows how something changes over time. Points are connected by a line to show trends.

Best for: Temperature changes during heating/cooling

🥧 Pie Chart

Shows parts of a whole. Each slice represents a percentage of the total.

Best for: Showing composition (like air is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen)

Pro Tip: Always include a title, axis labels with units, and a key (legend) when needed. A graph without labels is like a sentence without words!

Examples

Interactive Bar Graph

Object Density Comparison

View data for:

Density Comparison of Different Objects

10 8 6 4 2 0

Wood

Metal

Plastic

Glass

Rubber

Density (g/mL)

Analyzing the Graph

Q: Which object has the highest density?

A: The metal bolt has the highest density at 7.5 g/mL. We can see this because its bar is the tallest.

Q: Which objects would float in water?

A: Objects with density less than 1 g/mL float. Looking at the graph, wood (0.6) and plastic (0.8) would float.

Q: What pattern do you notice?

A: The metal object is much denser than all other objects tested. Most objects have densities between 0.5 and 2.5 g/mL.

Practice

Use data analysis skills to answer these questions.

Question 1: Look at the data table below. Which object has the greatest mass?

Object	Mass (g)
Apple	182
Orange	156
Banana	118
Grape	5

A) Apple

B) Orange

C) Banana

D) Grape

Question 2: What type of graph would be BEST for showing how temperature changes as ice melts over 20 minutes?

A) Bar graph

B) Line graph

C) Pie chart

D) Data table only

Question 3: A bar graph shows that Object A has a bar reaching 3 on the y-axis, and Object B has a bar reaching 6. What can you conclude?

A) Object A is larger than Object B

B) Object B's value is twice as large as Object A's value

C) Object A is heavier than Object B

D) The objects are the same

Question 4: Why is it important to include units of measurement in a data table?

A) To make the table look more professional

B) So others know exactly what was measured and can compare data accurately

C) Units are optional and not really needed

D) To take up more space in the table

Question 5: A line graph shows temperature on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. The line goes up steeply. What does this mean?

A) Temperature is increasing quickly over time

B) Temperature is staying the same

C) Temperature is decreasing quickly

D) Time is moving backwards

Question 6: When would you use a pie chart instead of a bar graph?

A) When comparing heights of different people

B) When showing how something changes over time

C) When showing parts of a whole (like percentages of a mixture)

D) When displaying temperature readings

Question 7: What should you always include at the top of a graph?

A) Your name

B) A title that describes what the graph shows

C) The date you made the graph

D) A colorful decoration

Question 8: In a density bar graph, the water reference line is at 1 g/mL. An object's bar is below this line. What does this tell you?

A) The object will float in water

B) The object will sink in water

C) The object is made of water

D) The measurement is incorrect

Check Your Understanding

Data Analysis Reflection

Why do scientists prefer graphs over raw data tables for presentations?
What are the three main types of graphs and when would you use each?
What happens if you forget to label your axes on a graph?
How can you use a bar graph to predict whether an object will float or sink?

ACT Science Tip: On the ACT Science section, you'll often need to read and interpret data from tables and graphs quickly. Practice identifying trends, comparing values, and drawing conclusions from visual data!

Summary

📋

Data Tables

Organize information with clear headers and units

📊

Bar Graphs

Compare different categories side by side

📈

Line Graphs

Show changes over time

🔍

Analysis

Identify patterns and draw conclusions

Next Steps

Create your own data table from a home investigation
Practice drawing bar graphs by hand
Continue to learn about writing scientific explanations with CER