What type of graph is most effective for showing trends over time in a science project?

A line graph is particularly effective for showing trends over time because it clearly illustrates how data points change at regular intervals. By connecting individual data points with lines, it allows viewers to easily see upward or downward trends, fluctuations, and overall patterns across time. This format emphasizes continuous data and is ideal for displaying variables that are related, such as temperature over a week or growth rates over several months, making it easier to interpret how one variable influences another.

In contrast, a pie chart is utilized to show parts of a whole at a specific point in time, which is not ideal for conveying changes over time. A bar graph can also depict changes but is less effective for continuous data. It is often used for comparing different groups or categories rather than tracking progression over periods. A histogram is designed to show the distribution of numerical data and focuses on frequency rather than time trends, which does not support tracking changes over time as effectively as a line graph.