Teacher’s Notes
This sequence of slides is designed to introduce, and explain,
the idea of Graphs in practical work, as explained on
pages 363-364 in New Physics for You, 2006 & 2011 editions or later.
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How Science works:
Graphs
New Physics for You, pages 363-4
Learning Objectives
You should learn :
• About different types of graphs,
• How to draw them when you
are doing your practical work,
• How to interpret the different
shapes.
Drawing a graph
When
…andshould
when
I drawI adraw a
should
bar-chart
line-graph…? ?
Drawing a graph
Look at the table of your results:
If this column has
• only certain fixed values,
use a bar-chart:
• a continuous range of
values,
use a line-graph:
Drawing a graph
What is the best
way to draw a
line-graph?
5 steps in drawing a graph
1. Choose simple scales.
For example:
1 large square = 1 newton (1 N)
or
1 large square = 2 N, or 5 N, or 10
N
But never choose an awkward scale,
like 1 square = 3 N or 7 N
Choose a scale that will make your
graph
use most of the sheet of paper.
5 steps in drawing a graph
1. Choose simple scales.
Put the dependent
variable on the ‘y-axis’
and
the independent variable on the ‘x-
axis’
5 steps in drawing a graph
2. Plot the points neatly.
To mark the points we usually use an X
x
x
x
x
Usually you x
need 5 or more
x
points for the
graph.
Re-check each one before your next
step.
5 steps in drawing a graph
3. If the points form a straight
line…
…draw the best straight line through
them
x
fit’
est x
f b
e o x
‘ li n x
x
x
Check that it looks the best straight
line.
5 steps in drawing a graph
4. If the points form a curve…
…draw a free-hand curve of best fit
Do not join the points like a ‘dot-to-
dot’.
5 steps in drawing a graph
5. If a point is not on the line…
…use your apparatus to check this
measurement again
x
x x
x
This is called an
x
anomalous
x
point.
You can decide to ignore anomalous points.
5 steps in drawing a graph
In summary:
1. Choose good scales,
with the dependent variable on the y-
axis
2. Plot the points carefully
3. Draw a line of best fit
using a ruler for a straight line graph,
4. or draw free-hand for a curved graph
5. Check anomalous points.
Types of graphs
Let’s look at some examples of graphs
Types of graphs 1
A straight line
graph:
length
length
weight
weigh
An example would be
t
the length of a
spring against the
weight on it.
Types of graphs 2
A special case is when the
straight line goes through the
origin :
In this case the
two quantities are
directly
proportional.
If one doubles,
origin then the other
one also doubles.
See page 390.
Types of graphs 2
If you think your graph should go through
the origin, then draw it exactly through
the origin.
Types of graphs 2
Example the extension of a
1: spring
against the weight on
it.
extension
weight
Types of graphs 2
Example the current in a
2: resistor
against the p.d.
across it.
current
voltag
e
This illustrates Ohm’s Law.
Types of graphs 3
A curved graph, rising :
The
dependent
variable rises
quickly at
first and then more slowly
Here are some
examples:
Types of graphs 3
Example the velocity of a falling
1: object
against the time.
velocity
time
Eventually the object will reach its terminal velocity.
Types of graphs 3
Example the current in a filament
2: lamp
against the p.d.
current
voltag
e
Types of graphs 4
A curved graph, falling :
The
dependent
variable falls
quickly at
first
and then more slowly
Here are some
examples:
Types of graphs 4
Example the activity of a radioactive
1: source
against the time.
activity
tim
e
The time to fall to half is called the half-
life.
Types of graphs 4
Example the rate of change is shown
2: by
acceleration
the gradient of the graph.
tim
e
This is discussed in the next PowerPoint.
Learning Outcomes
You should now:
• Know how to draw a line-graph
correctly,
• Be able to give examples of graphs
with different shapes,
• Be able to interpret graphs with
different shapes.
For more details, see:
New Physics for You, page 364,
391
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