Geoscience CPC
Creating Graphs from Data
Directions: Create one hand-drawn and one digital graph for the data sets that follow.
o
o
For hand-drawn graphs use graph paper and a ruler. Include color and a key if you have more
than one line, bar, or pie piece.
For digital graphs use the Numbers or Excel app on your i-Pad or use the following website:
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/
For all graphs be sure to:
a. Determine the type of graph would best communicate these results.
b. Label X and Y axis. Include units of measurements. Does your graph need a key or
legend?
c. Name your graph and be specific. What is this graph showing?
Data Set One: Most Populous Nations in the World (Data from the Population Reference Bureau, 2008)
For the Earth system to maintain equilibrium (or balance), resources must be weighed against the needs
of an increasing human population. Below is a list of the countries with the greatest human population
(as of 2008). At the time of this survey, the world population was 6.8 billion (or 6,800 million). Today
the world population is estimated at 7.3 billion (7,300 million) and growing.
Nation
China
India
United States
Indonesia
Brazil
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nigeria
Russia
Japan
Mexico
Vietnam
Population (in millions)
1,331
1,171
307
243
191
181
162
153
142
128
110
87
Create a graph to visually compare the populations in the most populated nations.
o
o
o
o
o
What type of graph would best communicate these results?
What goes on the X and Y axis? Label each axis and include units of measurement.
Count by the smallest interval and count by equal intervals.
Does your graph need a key or legend?
Name your graph and be specific. What is this graph showing?
Data Set Two: Concentration of Atmospheric Ozone and Solar Radiation in Pittsburgh, PA
Ozone is an air pollutant that forms when oxygen reacts with gases like nitrogen oxides in the
presence of sunlight. Ozone is a respiratory irritant and can cause complications for people
with asthma or emphysema or other respiratory illnesses. Examine the following ambient air
data collected for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and create a graph to visualize the average monthly
ozone levels in ppb (parts per billion).
2008 Monthly Ambient Air Monitoring Report, Pittsburgh, PA
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Monthly average ozone
levels (ppb)
14
15
23
31
27
32
31
27
20
14
12
14
Monthly average solar
radiation (watts/m2)
65
63
86
81
152
208
215
204
153
109
64
45
1. Create a graph to visually summarize the AVERAGE MONTHLY OZONE levels measured
in Pittsburgh.
o What type of graph would best communicate these results?
o What goes on the X and Y axis? Label each axis and include units of
measurement.
o Count by the smallest interval and count by equal intervals.
o Name your graph and be specific. What is this graph showing?
2. Include the MONTHLY AVERAGE SOLAR RADIATION to your graph by adding a second Y
axis on the other side of your graph. Mrs. Clare and Mrs. Ismaelito will show you how
to do this.
a. Count by the smallest interval and count by equal intervals.
b. Color code the information (lines/bars) on your graph and create a key.
Data Set Three: Composition of Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling
In 2013, Americans generated 254 million tons of waste or garbage. This garbage is destined
for landfills for burial or incinerator for combustion. Both of these disposal methods result in
pollution and a degradation of the natural environment. Recycling removes garbage from the
waste stream and reduces the amount of waste that is buried or burned. In 2013, 84 million
tons of garbage was recycled or composted.
Composition of Municipal Solid
Waste (MSW)
Paper
Food Scraps
Yard Trimmings
Wood
Rubber, leather, textiles (fabrics)
Plastics
Metals
Glass
Other
Total
Weight (in millions of tons)
78.7
33.1
33.0
17.8
20.3
30.5
20.3
12.7
7.6
254
Potential to be recycled or
composted
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Create a graph to visually summarize the composition of America’s garbage.
o
o
o
o
o
What type of graph would best communicate these results?
What goes on the X and Y axis? Label each axis and include units of measurement.
Count by the smallest interval and count by equal intervals.
Does your graph need a key or legend?
Name your graph and be specific. What is this graph showing?