Science Diagram - Types, Examples and Tips

1. What are Science Diagrams?

Science Diagrams are copies of technical data that are typically drawn by scientists, from the account of their practical observations and studies, such as biological dissections, chemical experiments, geological analysis or exploration of mechanics. It is all for visualization, which makes knowledge sharing so much easier and faster. Learn more about science symbols.

Science Diagrams carry a much different utility than imaginative or hypothetical artwork. While all forms of drawings and illustrations carry some kind of visual representation, that may be of an idea, message or information; the prism of scientific diagrams is but all about factual details, proffering semblance of reality. There are numerous types of science diagrams, that can be primarily categorized into the following types.

2. Types Of Science Diagram

The objective of Schematic Diagramming is to interpret typically complex information and elements in an overtly simplified yet comprehensive manner. This sort of diagrams uses symbolic and abstract lines, shapes and text to convey information, instead of realistic pictures. Its common usages include electrical or circuit diagrams, mechanical and engineering components or chemical diagrams denoting chemical symbiosis, molecular structures, equations, etc.

There are many types of graphs and charts: line chart, bar chart, pyramid chart, funnel chart, etc. Charts can show data changes and detailed information visually. Find more charts templates.

Illustrations are the primitive form of scientific imagery, especially in the life sciences, that is perhaps as old as the parietal drawings from the Upper Paleolithic Era. There are many sub-categories to Science Illustration, signifying the different branches of Biology Diagrams, Technical Diagrams, and Ecological Diagrams among others. Illustrations are the content of anatomical details, functions, behavior, symbiosis, and formation. Usually, illustrations have no use of graphs or charts, however, it might be combined with schematic details to complete a visual representation by with the definition of the function or point out different parts of a structure, for example, diagramming the microscopic animal cell.

As we learned about the main categories of science diagrams - schematics, charts, graphs and illustrations, here’s more about the different domains, that they are utilized in.

Mechanic Diagramming is a sub-domain of physics diagrams, that are comprised of schematics, graphs, and illustrations, to convey a process, design & engineering, or formation. Mechanical drawings vastly use lines and angular symbols that are easy to draw, in contrast to other complex structures and shapes used in science illustrations.

Optics drawings are largely used to explain the patterns and behavior of light, sound, magnetism, radioactivity, and such “spectrums” that may be visible or invisible. Usually, schematics are used to show angles, progressions, reactions, etc. sometimes there may be illustrative symbols such as the image of the Sun, or a surface, to complete the project.

Natural diagrams use illustration and pointing techniques to achieve two goals: detailed visualization of a structure, matter, etc. and define its functions. It largely revolves around anatomies, process orientations, and optics. Natural diagrams represent the sub-domains of medical illustration, botanical illustration, and geological illustrations.

The domain of Science is dispersed and vast. However, all the many branches and their applications can root back to the three main categories of Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.

Diagrams used in Chemistry include schematic equation diagrams, or illustrative diagrams of laboratory equipment, or charts and graphs to show variations between chemicals. Some of the significant diagramming examples in chemistry, include the Benzene Diagram, Molecular Models and Structural Formulae.

Physics uses mostly optical diagrams and mechanical illustrations, to denote atomic behavior, spectroscopy, and quantitative details. The most significant use of optic diagrams is used in physics studies and projects, along with variations of graphs and charts, such as Jablonski diagram, Kinematic diagrams, and UML diagrams.

Biology diagrams are perhaps the most complex, and widespread subjects in the Science Illustrations and Diagramming domain. Making it worthwhile with just about anything, from heavily detailed hand-drawn illustrations, to optics drawings, and schematic pointers, so that we can learn more about the most important lessons about life and life science. The most popular biology diagram is about anatomy drawing, which could be about cells, bone structure or the human skull, as well as processes like the respiratory system or photosynthesis.

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3. Why are Science Diagrams Important?

Science diagrams play a key role in enabling a learner to conceptualize technical facts such as anatomy, quantitative data, mechanisms, chemical equations, etc. Diagrams are sometimes the ultimate source of knowledge sharing, since one cannot imagine what they have no idea or intuition about, and one can hardly have an idea of something they haven’t ever seen—such as the anatomy of the brain, or formations of tectonic plates. A teacher cannot fully convey the knowledge, without the supplementary diagrams.

Many study materials often use photographs, but diagrams are different in terms that they achieve both a visual concept as well as define elements like functionality or cycle or behavior. Diagrams are not readily an interpretation of how the subjects look like, which can only be achieved with a photograph, but rather to stimulate the obtrusive details such as the human digestive system, or velocity. Therefore, for a 10-year old pupil, it is easier to conceive the incredible information, that is gathered by the more mature and skillful work of a scientist, following intrinsic studies.

4. Science Diagram Examples

The science drawing in this example illustrates a dichotomous key for insects. It classifies insects into various groups based on specific features, each pair of two. You can see that the diagram starts with a group named insect. The next step divides the group into two sub-groups based on the size of insect wings. Next, it further divides each sub-group in to two other groups and goes on till it reaches the fifth step. Creating this diagram is simple, and any reader can get the general idea of the diagram at a single glance.

The lab diagram in this example illustrates the experiment of burning red phosphorus. It depicts the chemical reaction using icons to depict lab equipment and labels to name components involved in the experiment. The burning red phosphorus flares yellow at oxygen atmosphere, and the diagram represents that with a yellow flame icon to make it easier to understand for any reader. At the end of the reaction, you can see the mist at the flask walls. You can also illustrate any experiment you want by using the symbols and icons in the EdrawMax library or using templates.

This diagram in this example depicts our solar system. This type of solar system diagram is commonly used to introduce students to our solar system. There are not many written details in the diagram, and you can only see the planets, the sun and orbits. It is the most basic solar system diagram that tells students the order of planets in the solar system and their size difference. You can see that Jupiter is the largest while Pluto is the smallest planet in the diagram, and earth is the third nearest planet to the sun.

5. How to Design a Science Diagram With EdrawMax?

The best thing about EdrawMax is that it is not only easy to learn but is also simple to use. The suite uses vector-based clip art of various illustrative symbols like organs, chemical apparatus, objects etc. as well as graphs, charts and schematic diagrams, that are altogether sufficient to give you complete resource of science diagramming, where you as a user, just have to mix and match and adjoin the various elements to create a whole project. Here you can find detailed steps of how to draw science diagram.

6. Tips on Making a Stunning Science Diagram

So go ahead! Use the best resources to create superior diagrams. Make your work do the talking, whether in school or at the work-front.