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HowScienceWorks Graphs

This PowerPoint presentation introduces graphs and how to draw and interpret them when doing practical work. It explains the different types of graphs like straight line graphs, curved graphs that rise or fall, and gives examples of each. The slides go through each step of drawing a graph, including choosing scales, plotting points, and drawing lines of best fit. The goal is for students to understand graphs and be able to apply what they learn when analyzing their own experimental results.

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Jatin Mistry
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
34 views

HowScienceWorks Graphs

This PowerPoint presentation introduces graphs and how to draw and interpret them when doing practical work. It explains the different types of graphs like straight line graphs, curved graphs that rise or fall, and gives examples of each. The slides go through each step of drawing a graph, including choosing scales, plotting points, and drawing lines of best fit. The goal is for students to understand graphs and be able to apply what they learn when analyzing their own experimental results.

Uploaded by

Jatin Mistry
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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.

Note : When you start this PowerPoint if you see a message about “Read-only embedded fonts” then you
are recommended to select “Open Read-Only” as this (i) gives a clearer font for those
at the back of the room and (ii) ensures that the text-highlighting of key words is correct.

On each slide the key points are revealed step by step,


at the click of your mouse (or the press of a key such as the space-bar).

Before making the next mouse-click you can ask questions of the class
or make statements about what is about to be revealed.
This should help students to become clearer about the ideas involved.
Naturally it pays to have quick practice-run first.

To start the slide-show, press function-key F5


(or right-click->Full Screen)
(to return to ‘normal view’ press the <Esc> key).

For more (free) PowerPoint presentations, visit www.physics4u.co.uk


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

For more free PowerPoints, visit

 the web-site at
www.physics4u.co.uk
If you are connected to the web at
the moment, click below to see
what’s available:
http://www.physics4u.co.uk/

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