Question involving Force vs. acceleration graph

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of the slope in a force vs. acceleration graph, where force is plotted on the vertical axis and acceleration on the horizontal axis. The calculated slope of 1372 units indicates that force changes by 1372 units for each unit increase in acceleration, not the other way around. This clarification is crucial for understanding the relationship between force and acceleration as defined by Newton's second law of motion.

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  • Concept of slope as Δy/Δx in graphing
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Mike_r
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I've gotten the slope on a force vs. acceleration graph ( force on the vertical, acceleration on the horizontal) and the slope is 1372 units (whatever the units are)

I've found out that the slope is supposed to represent the amount that acceleration increases for a unit increase in force

but that doesn't makes sense...the acceleration increases by 1372 units for every unit of increase in force?

please help
 
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You seem to have it backwards. Remember what slope is: Δy/Δx, or in your case ΔF/Δa. It is the force that changes by 1372 units for a unit increase in acceleration.

By the way, what units do you get when you divide a force by an acceleration?
 

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