The links listed below will guide you step-by-step through the listed processes for using Vernier's Graphical Analysis 2.0:

Changing the Graph Display

1. Open the tempchirp file you saved from the previous activity, so you can rescale your graph.

2. To change the scale of the x and y axis, you have several options. One is to choose Graph Options under the Graph Menu.

3. The window to the left will open up and you can change the point size, autoscale your data, select new data set, change the style of your graph and change the size of the error bars.
4. You can also choose Autoscale from the Graph Menu. This option will choose the numerical scale that best fits the data.
5. You may also choose Scaling.

6. The Scaling option will open up a window in which you can change the scale of your data in three different ways.

  • Manual Scale-you determine the scale on the graph.
  • Scale from data-the program determines the scale of the data based on the values in the data set.
  • Scale from 0-this sets the scale to begin at 0 and end where it is appropriate for your data set.
7. You can also change the scale of the graph by clicking on the numbers on the x or y axis and manually inputting different numerical values.

8. To change the visual look of the graphically displayed data, Click on Graph and choose one of the following options by placing a check mark next to it by clicking on it:

  • Point Protectors-icons that make the data more visible.
  • Error Bars-marks that indicate uncertainty in the data.
  • Connecting Lines-straight line segments from point to point on the graph.
  • Bar Graph-the line graph is replaced with a bar graph.
  • Background Grid-a grid behind the graph line which is made up of a dot pattern.
  • Legend-a box which explains the meaning of the data points.

The images below show what your graph will look like with the option chosen with a check mark.

Point Protectors

Error Bars
Connecting Lines
Bar Graph
Background Grid and Legend
(point protectors added so you can see the data)
Zooming in on a Graph

Zooming in on an area of a graph is often necessary to better visualize its location.

1. To zoom in, click on a specific area of the graph and select that area by holding down the mouse button and dragging the mouse until the area is selected.

2. Once the area is selected, click Graph menu and select Zoom In. This will make the area choosen fit the screen.
3. To undo the Zoom In function, click on Edit and Undo Zoom In.

For additional help, review the skill development activities entitled, "Entering Data" or "Analyzing Data."

©2000-2002 April A Cleveland for Science Junction, NC State University.
All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/route/usetech/dataanalysis/macdataanalysis/gaeditdata/index.html
Last updated 07/30/02

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