Teacher’s Notes
This sequence of slides is designed to introduce, and explain,
the idea of Gradients on graphs, as explained on
pages 363, 393, 395, 128-130 in Physics for You, 5th edition.
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Working Scientifically:
Gradients
on graphs
Physics for You, 5th edition,
pages 363, 393, 395, 128-130
Learning Objectives
You should learn :
• How to calculate the gradient (slope) of a
straight-line graph…
• …and a curved graph
• About the equations for different straight-
line graphs.
• The meaning of gradients on graphs for
distance‒time and velocity‒time.
Looking at graphs
What do we
mean by…
…the gradient
of a graph…?
Looking at graphs
Where is the curve steepest?
Where does he accelerate the most?
Where is the steepest gradient?
Looking at graphs
Here the gradient is higher,
and
the rate of change of speed is higher.
Looking at graphs
Here the gradient is smaller,
and
the rate of change of speed is smaller.
Gradient of a graph
The slope or gradient of a graph can give you
important information.
But when you’ve …how do you
drawn a graph… calculate the
gradient of it?
It can be done in 3 steps:
Gradient of a graph
Here is the graph from an experiment
to measure the extension of a spring
(see page 66)
It shows the load
applied
to the spring (in
N) and
the extension it
causes
(in mm).
Gradient of a graph Step 1
Draw a large
right-angled triangle
as shown here:
Gradient of a graph Step 2
Find the value of the
two sides Y and X
in the units of
the graph.
In the diagram,
Y = 20 mm and X = 60 N. Can you see why?
Gradient of a graph Step 3
Calculate the
gradient (slope)
of the graph
by dividing Y/ X
(Keep the units with
the numbers, so that
you find the unit of
the gradient.)
From the diagram:
= 0.33 mm/N
gradient = Y X = 2060
mm
N
What if the graph is curved ?
First, add a tangent
at the point P where
you want to find the
gradient:
Then find the
gradient of that
tangent line.
gradient = Δy Δx = 16 -27
= 0.63 m/s2
4 m/s
-8s = 12 19
m/s
s
Equations for straight-line graphs
Let’s look at 3 examples of straight-line
graphs,
together with their algebraic equations.
These are the 3 graphs we’ll look at:
Equations for straight-line graphs
Directly proportional
For an equation like
Y=kX
the graph is
a straight line,
through the origin.
The gradient (slope) = k
For an example, see Hooke’s Law (page 66).
Equations for straight-line graphs
Linear but not directly proportional
For an equation like
Y=kX+c
the graph is
a straight line, but
not through the origin.
Like before, the gradient = k
The intercept gives you the value of c.
For an example see v = a t + u (page 131).
Equations for straight-line graphs
Inversely proportional
If pressure P and
volume V are
inversely proportional
(see pages 29, 392)
a graph of P against V
would give a curve.
The equation is P = k × 1
so to get a straight line, V
1
we have to plot: P against
V
Looking at graphs of movement
Let’s look at some examples of graphs with
different gradients…
Distance – time graphs
Example 1
Distance – time graph
The
What
graph
is happening
is flat. here?
The distance is not changing.
The gradient is zero. The speed is zero.
Distance – time graphs
Example 2
Distance – time graph
What
The distance
is happening
is changing.
here? The object is moving.
The constant gradient means a constant speed.
Distance – time graph
What do the numbers tell you?
The object has gone 20 m in 2 seconds.
What is its speed?
Distance – time graph
distance travelled 20 m
Speed = = = 10 m/s
time taken 2s
Distance – time graphs
Example 3
Distance – time graph
The
Whatgradient
is happening
(slope)here?
is increasing.
So the speed is increasing.
The object is accelerating.
Distance – time graphs
Example 4
Distance – time graph
When
What isis happening
it travellingtofastest?
the lift? At B. (steepest)
When is it stationary? At A and at C. (flat)
Distance – time graph
When is it accelerating? Between A-B.
When is it decelerating? Between B-C.
Distance – time graph
How far does it travel? 35 metres
How long does it take? 7 seconds
What is its average speed? 5 m/s
Now let’s look at a different set of graphs…
…graphs of velocity) against time
Velocity – time graph
Example 1
Velocity – time graph
The
Whatgraph
is happening
is flat. here?
The velocity is not changing.
It is not accelerating or decelerating.
Velocity – time graph
Example 2
Velocity – time graph
What
The velocity
is happening
is changing.
here?
The object is accelerating.
Velocity – time graph
Example 3
Velocity – time graph
Now the gradient is steeper.
The velocity is changing more quickly.
The object has a greater acceleration.
Velocity – time graph
Example 4
Velocity – time graph
What isisithappening
When to this car?
travelling fastest? Between C and D.
When is it stationary? At A and at E.
Velocity – time graph
When is it accelerating? Between A and C.
When is it decelerating? Between D and E.
Velocity – time graph
Example 5
Velocity – time graph
What isisithappening
When to this lift?
travelling fastest? At B.
When is it stationary? At A and at C.
Velocity – time graph
When is it accelerating? Between A and B.
When is it decelerating? Between B and C.
Velocity – time graph
What is the acceleration between A and B ?
Velocity – time graph
= 2 m/s2
Acceleration = gradient = Δy Δx = 10 m/s
5s
Velocity – time graph
What is the deceleration between B and C ?
Velocity – time graph
= 5 m/s2
Deceleration = gradient = Δy Δx = 10 m/s
2s
Or acceleration = ‒5 m/s2
Learning Outcomes
You should now:
• Know how to calculate the gradient of a graph,
• Understand the equations for straight-line
graphs,
• Know the meaning of gradients on graphs for
distance‒time and velocity‒time.
For more details, see:
Physics for You, 5th edition,
page 363, 393, 395, 128-130
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