16.

4 – STRAIGHT LINE
GRAPHS
Objectives:
1. Use the formula y=mx+c to relate quantities from
formulae to graphs
2. Measure a gradient on a graph
3. Plot and sketch straight line graphs
Specification links
• Textbook Pages 265-266
Starter
Determine what the area or gradient of each of these
graphs gives
Straight Line Formula
A straight line is always given by
x axis

y axis y intercept
gradient
Therefore if we are dealing with a formula that has two
variables to the first power, it will always give us a straight
line. EG:
Using the straight line formula
This is often handy when planning practicals.

Consider: W = mg

How do you think we could use this formula to calculate

gravitational field strength?
Using the Straight Line Formula
W = mg
Step 1: Equate to y = mx + c

W = mg
Y = mx + c

Step 2: Decide on variables

Make weight the y axis
Make mass the x axis

Step 3: Identify graph features

Gradient is then equal to gravitational acceleration
Y intercept (+c) should be zero
Area
The area under a graph can often be meaningful as well

To figure out what the area will give us, always use
dimensional analysis.

EG: For W=mg, where W is the y axis and m is the x axis,

the area would give us Weight (N) times Mass (kg), or Nkg
This unit doesn’t really have any physical meaning, but for
other graphs the area can often give us more useful
quantities.
Activity
Determine how we could use the following formula to find:

1. F = ma to find acceleration
2. v = u + at to find initial velocity
3. F = ke to find energy in spring
4. E = ½ mv2 to find mass (hint: pretend energy can be
measured by some sort of joulemeter or sorcery or
something)
Activity
Determine how we could use the following formula to find:

1. F = ma to find acceleration
1. Plot F on the y axis, m on the x axis, gradient is acceleration
2. v = u + at to find initial velocity
1. Plot V on the y axis, t on the x axis, y intercept is initial
velocity
3. F = ke to find energy in spring
1. Plot F on the y axis, e (or k) on the x axis, area under line
gives energy
4. E = ½ mv2 to find mass
1. Plot E on the y axis, v2 on the x axis, gradient gives mass
Measuring Gradients
To measure the gradient:
1. Pick two points on the graph, at least 2/3 of the line
2. Measure the change in the y variable
3. Measure the change in the x variable
 Activity
Plot the following points on graph paper.

Velocity 4.03 3.57 3.14 2.84 2.39 2.08 1.55 1.18 0.84
(ms-1)
Time (s) 1.00 1.15 1.30 1.45 1.60 1.75 1.80 1.95 2.10

Using v = u + at, and your graph, find:

• The acceleration
• The total distance travelled between 0 and 2.10s
• The initial velocity (at time 0.00s)
Activity
Acceleration:
-2.92ms-2
(gradient)

Distance Travelled:
8.22m
(area under graph)

Initial Velocity:
6.98ms-1
(area)
Summary
Time to see how much of this
lesson you can remember
• Make sure you have written
notes about how to equate
formulae to y=mx+c, and how
to use graphs to find physical
quantities given by the
gradient and the area
• Read pages 265-266 in the
text book
 Self Assessment Plenary
Did you learn it well? How do you know? Try these (page 266)
Next time…
Next time we will be looking at curved graphs. How might
we find the gradient of these graphs? And what would it
show us?