Graphing Problem: Rearrange to a Straight Line Graph

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter dienamics
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Graphing
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a graphing problem involving mass and acceleration under a constant force, where the mass increases and the acceleration decreases. Participants are exploring how to rearrange the relationship to create a straight line graph.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the scenario of a mass versus acceleration graph, noting that with a constant force and increasing mass, the resulting graph shows a negative curve.
  • Another participant suggests using logarithmic plotting as a common approach to linearize power law relationships, providing a mathematical representation of the relationship.
  • A third participant expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of the logarithmic approach, clarifying that the curve represents deceleration in the positive direction and that the force is not constant, leading to a varying force according to F=ma.
  • This participant mentions attempting to rearrange the equation using a = f/m but is struggling to find a solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there are differing views on the nature of the graph and the appropriate method for rearranging the relationship to achieve a straight line graph.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of the force and its variability, as well as the effectiveness of the suggested logarithmic approach in this specific context.

dienamics
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi,
Was wondering if someone could help me out with this simple graphing problem.

Its a mass x acceleration graph. I have a constant force but an increasing mass e.g

When plotting this graph I end up with a negative curve, as the mass increases, the acceleration decreases.

I need to rearrange this to a straight line graph.

pls help!

Cheers.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
dienamics said:
Hi,
Was wondering if someone could help me out with this simple graphing problem.

Its a mass x acceleration graph. I have a constant force but an increasing mass e.g

When plotting this graph I end up with a negative curve, as the mass increases, the acceleration decreases.

I need to rearrange this to a straight line graph.

pls help!

Cheers.

A common approach is to plot logs. When you have a power law between two variables, this gives a straight line. Many plotting programs provide an option to make one or both axes a log-scale. The gradient of a log graph let's you know the power of the relationship.
[tex]\begin{align*}<br /> y &= x^n \\<br /> \log y &= n \log x<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]​

Cheers -- sylas
 
Hmm...

Not sure that's going to work, but thats. probably should have explained the question better.

Its not a negative curve, the curve represents deceleration in the positive direction (curve with decreasing gradient) and the force is not given. If worked out using F=ma the force varies.

Not sure how to go about this one. Have tired rearranging using a=f/m but don't seem to be having much luck...

probably something really simple I'm doing wrong
 
Can anyone help me with this??:confused:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K