The slope of a kinetic energy vs. potential energy graph

[niteeks]

Homework Statement

I have plotted a graph of Gravitational potential energy (y-axis) vs. kinetic energy (x-axis), and I have found the value of the slope to equal -1.4. The thing is I don't know what the -1.4 equals to? Since I have to find the percentage error, I need to know the theorectical value of the experiment, to put into the equation of % error. I have tried several ways to determine what the value would be like but I don't think they make sense:

The Attempt at a Solution

(kg(m/s^2)m)/((kg(m^2/s^2))/2) which equals finally 2 (theo value)

and when I put into percentage error formula:

(|theo-exp|/|theo|)x100→(2-(-1.4)/2)x100→1.7x100=170% (which is impossible)

or something I found on the internet:

For a freely falling body,
P.E. + K.E. = cosntant
=> x + y = constant, where x = P.E. and y = K.E.
=> P.E. vs. K.E. graph is a line with slope = - 1

I don't understand how -1 should be the theo value of the slope... But it works perfectly in my equation for percentage error!

(|theo-exp|/|theo|)x100→(-1-(-1.4)/-1)x100→0.4x100=40% (which makes more sense)

Could someone help me understand this? And tell me my mistakes? It doesn't make any sense to me! Thanks!

Homework Equations

em=ek+pe

 

[LawrenceC]

Hint:

Write the equation as

PE + KE = C, where C is a constant.

Then put it in the form of y = mx + b

What is m?

 

[niteeks]

Uh well "m" equals -1 right?

 

[LawrenceC]

That's correct.