1. How are graphs used to represent data in Earth Science?

2. Graphing
1. Throughout this course, preparation of, reading, and interpreting graphs is a USEFUL and NECESSARY skill.

3. Graphing
1. Throughout this course, preparation of, reading, and interpreting graphs is a USEFUL and NECESSARY skill.
2. Three major types of graphs include LINE, BAR, and CIRCLE.

4. Graphing
3. Most of the graphs you will be preparing, reading, and interpreting are LINE graphs.

5. Graphing
3. Most of the graphs you will be preparing, reading, and interpreting are LINE graphs.
4. Ground Rules:
ALL graphs should be completed in PENCIL and LABELED, X- and Y-axes must be labeled.

6. Graphing
3. Most of the graphs you will be preparing, reading, and interpreting are LINE graphs.
4. Ground Rules:
ALL graphs should be completed in PENCIL and LABELED, X- and Y-axes must be labeled.
ALL graphs will be line graphs unless told otherwise.

7. Graph Terms Y-Axis graph plot begins here.
Y-Axis (Dependent Variable.
Always has an increasing value. (See arrow)
Y-Axis graph plot begins here.
X-Axis (Independent Variable).
Always has an increasing value
(See arrow)
X-Axis Graph plot begins here.

8. Plotting and Reading Graphs
1. The word graph comes from Greek and means “picture.” So a graph gives us a “picture” of how two variables relate to each other.

9. Plotting and Reading Graphs
1. The word graph comes from Greek and means “picture.” So a graph gives us a “picture” of how two variables relate to each other.
2. Graphs are usually read in the following way:
As X increases: Y increases and/or decreases, or remains the same.

10. Plotting and Reading Graphs
3. Line graphs are either DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), or CYCLIC.

11. Plotting and Reading Graphs
3. Line graphs are either DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), or CYCLIC.
4. Graph axes should be labeled immediately with what is being mapped or prepared.

12. Plotting and Reading Graphs
3. Line graphs are either DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), or CYCLIC.
4. Graph axes should be labeled immediately with what is being mapped or prepared.
5. When preparing graphs for Regents Earth Science FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS.

13. Graph Title Y AXIS X AXIS
Always give the graph a TITLE and label the X and Y axes with the appropriate name including the correct unit. If the directions ask to plot points with a DOT, do it. If asked to label with an X, do it.
Y AXIS
X AXIS

14. Graph Relationships
1. After the graph points have been plotted, the next step is to READ the graph.
2. There are generally 3 relationships, DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), and CYCLIC.
DIRECT: As X (volume) increases, Y (Mass) increases.

15. Graph Relationships
1. After the graph points have been plotted, the next step is to READ the graph.
2. There are generally 3 relationships, DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), and CYCLIC.
INDIRECT (INVERSE): As X (air temperature) increases, Y (air density) decreases.

16. Graph Relationships
1. After the graph points have been plotted, the next step is to READ the graph.
2. There are generally 3 relationships, DIRECT, INDIRECT (INVERSE), and CYCLIC.
Northern Hemisphere
Height of sun
CYCLIC: As X (months) increase, Y increases and decreases
DM J S D M J S

17. Linear Graphs
Graphs (Direct or Indirect) with straight lines are called linear graphs.
Rate of change is constant.
Indirect Linear
Direct Linear

18. Nonlinear Graphs
Graphs (Direct or Indirect) with curved lines are called nonlinear graphs.
Rate of change varies.
Indirect Nonlinear
Direct Nonlinear

19. Direct Graph Relationships
NOTE: Even if you don’t know what the X value or the Y value MEANS, the graph reads: AS RELIEF INCREASES, THE AVERAGE RATE OF EROSION INCREASES

20. Indirect(Inverse) Graph Relationships
Note: Even if you don’t what the X value or the Y value MEANS, the graph is read: As latitude decreases, snow line elevation increases.

21. Cyclic Graph Relationships
Note: The time from high tide to the next high tide is from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. (12 hours) and from low tide to the next low tide is 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. 12 hours.) Therefore this is a cyclic pattern. Note also in this graph that the Y axis has both + and – values.

22. Regents Graphs illustrating Graph Types
Note that the time of high tide to the next high tide and low tide to the next low tide are always about 12 hours apart. Are the tides cyclic?

23. Comparing 2 Different Factors
As distance from the Source of a river to its Mouth increases, the amount of sediment left by erosion decreases, and, the amount of sediment left by deposition increases.

24. Graphs with TWO Y-Axes
Note: This graph records Relative Humidity AND Temperature on the Y axes. The X axis records time of day. As temperature increases what happens to relative humidity? Explain.

25. Bar and Circle (Pie) Graphs

26. ScienceGnus: Quick Quiz
Is this graph direct, indirect, or cyclic? Explain how you know?

27. Science Gnus: Quick Quiz
How many geologic periods are shown?
2. Which period has the shortest time span?
3. Which period has the longest time span?
4. Estimate the % of the graph which is Mesozoic and Paleozoic.

28. Science Gnus: Quick Quiz
Is this graph Direct,Indirect, or Cyclic?
Is this graph Linear or Nonlinear?

29. HOMEWORK
Making and Using Graphs Worksheet