GUIDELINES FOR PLOTTING PERFECT GRAPHS

4TH FORM PHYSICS

Topic: Graphs

When drawing a graph make sure you:

1. Use a pencil with a sharp point

2. Put in correct quantities on correct axes

3. Label the axes(quantity/unit)

4. Put in scales in the top right hand corner of graph

5. Choose convenient sales(not 3’s,6’s or 7’s)

6. Count evenly when putting in scales(no skips eg.. 2,4,6,10)

7. Plot points accurately

8. Use ͼ or a small x

9. Have graphs that takes up more than half of the page both ways

10. Choose correctly between a line and a curve

11. Draw a line or curve of best fit

Choosing the correct axis:

1. The first variable mentioned goes on the “vertical” axis. For example, if told to plot a against b,
then ‘a’ is plotted on the y-axis.

2. The independent variable (the one which we set) is plotted on the x-axis and the dependent
variable (the one which we measure) is plotted on the y-axis.

Choosing a suitable scale for each axis:

3. Scales are chosen to ensure that the graph occupies as much of the graph page as it can without
making the scale awkward to use. The graph should occupy more than half the page, both
“vertically” and “horizontally” (the more expanded the scale, the greater the precision of the
results).

4. A scale which is NOT awkward is easy to read and makes points easy to plot and read-off. For
example a 1:5 or 1:10 scale. Note that scales like 1:3 or 1:4 or 1:7etc. are awkward.

5. Broken scales may be used unless an intercept has to be found.

Labeling:

6. The title of the graph must be given

7. Each axis must be labeled with quantity/unit, (given in words or symbols) e.g. mass(kg) or
length(m)

8. Axis should be scale markings every 2 cm (or less)

Plotting:

9. All recorded readings must be plotted.

10. Points can be FINE circled dots or SHARP upright crosses whose intersection is exactly the
intersection of the two values producing the point.

11. Plotted readings must not be rounded off.

Best Fit:

12. To obtain the best curve or straight line from a scatter of points, the LEAST SQUARES principle
may be used. Using a transparent ruler, the line is drawn so that the PERPENDICULAR
DISTANCES of points on one side of the line when added (by inspection) give the same total as
those taken on the other side.

13. The best fit line need not pass through any of the plotted points.

14. Straight line graphs do not have to pass through the origin.

15. A straight line must not be forced through points which show a curved trend.

16. A THIN line must be drawn.

Gradient:

17. A large triangle must be drawn (whose hypotenuse must be greater than half the length of the line).
This increases the accuracy.

18. The gradient is calculated from (change in vertical/change in horizontal).

19. GRADIENTS HAVE UNITS, which come from (vertical units/horizontal units). If both axes have
the same units, the gradient is a pure number.

20. The read-off must be from the graph and not from the table.

21. The read-off must be to the same number of significant figures as the plotted readings.

Intercept:

22. The intercept is read directly from the graph. It is the point on an axis that the line passes through.
In physical terms the intercept is the value of one of the quantities/variables plotted when the other
is zero.

23. Do not use a broken scale if intercept has to be found.

24. INTERCEPTS have UNITS which are the same as those for axis cut.

25. The read-off must be the same number of significant figures as the plotted readings.

26. The intercept must NOT be calculated from the equation (y = mx + c)

Interpretations of graphs:

The shape of a graph can give the relationship between the measured quantities.

27. The measured quantities are DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL: a straight line passing through the
origin (y = mx)

28. There is a linear relationship but not of proportionality: a straight line which cuts an axis (y = mx +
c)

29. There is a non-linear relationship: a curve

Rationale for use of a graph to represent measurements:

30. It gives a total picture

31. It shows trends in measurements e.g. when there is a change from a linear to a curved trend

32. Its shape can give the relationship between the measured variables

33. It can be extrapolated in any direction to predict results

34. It shows up systematic errors which are way off. They can be checked.

35. The ‘best fit’ reduces random errors which show up as a scatter of points about the line.