6
Graphical Representation
Measurements made on chemical and physical systems often are presented in
graphical form. The graph may show vividly how different variables are related
to each other, or how the change in one variable affects the change in another.
Another reason for graphical representation is that an important derived property can be obtained from, say, the slope or intercept of a straight-line graph. In
this chapter, we discuss only those kinds of graphs and graph papers that are
normally used at an elementary level in chemistry.
CONSTRUCTING A GRAPH
If the following guidelines are followed, the resulting graph generally will have
maximal usefulness.
1. Use a scale large enough to cover as much as possible of the full page
of graph paper. Do not cramp a miserable little graph into the corner of
a large piece of graph paper.
2. Use a convenient scale, to simplify the plotting of the data and the
reading of the graph.
Graphical Representation
Measurements made on chemical and physical systems often are presented in
graphical form. The graph may show vividly how different variables are related
to each other, or how the change in one variable affects the change in another.
Another reason for graphical representation is that an important derived property can be obtained from, say, the slope or intercept of a straight-line graph. In
this chapter, we discuss only those kinds of graphs and graph papers that are
normally used at an elementary level in chemistry.
CONSTRUCTING A GRAPH
If the following guidelines are followed, the resulting graph generally will have
maximal usefulness.
1. Use a scale large enough to cover as much as possible of the full page
of graph paper. Do not cramp a miserable little graph into the corner of
a large piece of graph paper.
2. Use a convenient scale, to simplify the plotting of the data and the
reading of the graph.