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View Full Version : Very Quick Force-Acceleration Graph Question


bleedblue1234
Sep27-09, 07:14 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

What quantity does the slope of a force-acceleration graph represent?

2. Relevant equations

N = kg*m/s/s

A=m/s/s

3. The attempt at a solution

Well since the slope = rise/run, and the y axis is the N and the x axis is the acceleration, the slope is therefore (kg*m/s/s)/(m/s/s) or simplified just kg.

So the slope represents simply the mass quantity expressed in kg?

rock.freak667
Sep27-09, 07:15 PM
yes that is correct.

bleedblue1234
Sep27-09, 07:43 PM
But wouldn't that just be the units of the slope, kg, instead of what the slope actually means? Would the slope mean the mass of the object ... i am totally confused

rock.freak667
Sep27-09, 08:14 PM
But wouldn't that just be the units of the slope, kg, instead of what the slope actually means? Would the slope mean the mass of the object ... i am totally confused

the slope gives the mass of the object. The slope is the same as finding F/a . From Newton's 2nd Law, if F=ma then m=F/a