Gradient Units: For Hooke's Law Graphs

[UltraMagnus]

now, this is a rather basic question, but, i can't seem to find the answer...

so anyhow, i always thought that a gradient diddent need units and was just used to compare the change between two things, but i think i may be wrong.

so, if you are plotting extension (m) over force (n) for a hooke's law graph, what unit do you use? or am i right and you don't need one?

 

[neutrino]

It's Newton/metre. This corresponds to the unit of the constant in Hooke's law.Take another example of plotting the position against time. The gradient gives you the velocity which has units m/s.

 

[UltraMagnus]

thanks for the quick reply!

so, (just to confirm) that would be N/m or Nm^-1

 

[neutrino]

thanks for the quick reply!

so, (just to confirm) that would be N/m or Nm^-1

Yes, both refer to the same thing.

 

[UltraMagnus]

thanks very much!

 

[einstein2603]

i was always having that problem as well. thanks for clearing it up