Quick Physics question

whassupp2

If in the experimental questions, it asks to draw a graph, then to calculate the slope of the graph what does this give??? and how do you do it??

Matthewthebig

it depends on the question.

the slope is taken by taking by subtracting 2 points on the y axis and dividing them by the subtraction of 2 x points

if that makes sense

whassupp2

just to clarify:

subtract any 2 points on y axis

divide this by the subracted figure of any 2 points on x axis????

I think it can be used in most cases to calculate the average value of something???

Tar.Aldarion

take two points, x0,x1 and y0,y1. These are points on the slope.

You use this formula, http://cs.selu.edu/~rbyrd/math/slope/

whassupp2

thats fine. thanks but them point will only work if graph is straight line through origin.

JoseJones

That's the only time they'll ask you to get the slope...a curve can't have a slope (not for this exam anyway)

Raphael

When graphing anything, you should get the forumla in the form y=mx. THen you know what goes on what axis, and what the slope is

For example, in the gravity by freefall experiment you use the formula: s=1/2at^2. So put s on the y, t^2 on the x and the slope of your graph will be equal to 1/2a. Or 4.9m/s^2.

And there;s a number of ways to get the slope. (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) is a good one, so is the tan of the angle the graph makes with the x axis.

whassupp2

Raphael wrote:

When graphing anything, you should get the forumla in the form y=mx. THen you know what goes on what axis, and what the slope is

For example, in the gravity by freefall experiment you use the formula: s=1/2at^2. So put s on the y, t^2 on the x and the slope of your graph will be equal to 1/2a. Or 4.9m/s^2.

And there;s a number of ways to get the slope. (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) is a good one, so is the tan of the angle the graph makes with the x axis.

Cheers. I've learnt more about physics in last 1/2 hour than i did in whole year.

blah0000

if you have "ax+by+c=0" then "m=-a/b"