What are the units for the slope in an Acceleration vs Mass Graph?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the units for the slope in an Acceleration vs Mass graph, specifically in the context of an Atwood Simulation lab. Participants are exploring the relationship between acceleration and mass, noting that the relationship appears linear under certain conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to determine the correct units for the slope, with some suggesting that the slope could be expressed in terms of Newtons or as m/kg*s². Questions arise regarding the linearity of the relationship and the experimental setup.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the units for the slope, with some participants providing insights into the experimental setup and its implications for the linearity of the relationship. While some guidance has been offered regarding unit conversion, there is no explicit consensus on the correct interpretation of the results.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the combined mass is held constant in the experiment, which may influence the linearity of the acceleration observed. There are references to attached instructions and data, indicating that additional context may be relevant to the discussion.

guyvsdcsniper
Messages
264
Reaction score
37
Homework Statement
Using Quick graph, plot a graph of acceleration vs. ∆m, using the Part I data. Based on your analysis of the graph, what is the relationship between the mass difference and the acceleration of an Atwood’s machine? Do a linear best fit, and report the slope value (don’t forget the units).
Relevant Equations
a=m/s^2
m=kg
I am doing an Atwood Simulation lab. I am having trouble with this part of my lab that ask the question provided.

I can tell that the relationship is linear and that as the mass increases at a constant rate the acceleration increases.

Logger pro tells me that the slope is 31.43. I am having trouble thinking about what the units would be for the slope.

Acceleration is m/s^2. Mass is in kg. I believe that since I have a fraction of a kilogram I would then have:
m/s^2 / 1/kg which would then give me N.
Is that correct? If not where am I going wrong

Screen Shot 2021-03-08 at 8.16.19 PM.png
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2021-03-08 at 8.16.19 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2021-03-08 at 8.16.19 PM.png
    18.5 KB · Views: 258
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2
Physics news on Phys.org
Units for the slope, y/x, will be (whatever the units are on the y axis)/(whatever the units are on the x axis).

Out of interest, what exactly is the set up in the experiment? For a typical set up of two masses hung either side of a pulley, and varying only one mass, the acceleration should not be a linear function of the mass difference.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: guyvsdcsniper
haruspex said:
Units for the slope, y/x, will be (whatever the units are on the y axis)/(whatever the units are on the x axis).

Out of interest, what exactly is the set up in the experiment? For a typical set up of two masses hung either side of a pulley, and varying only one mass, the acceleration should not be a linear function of the mass difference.

So it would m/kg*s^2? It just seems like such an odd unit I've never seen that before.

I've attached the instructions and my data for this part of the lab. Am I doing something wrong?
 

Attachments

quittingthecult said:
So it would m/kg*s^2? It just seems like such an odd unit I've never seen that before.

I've attached the instructions and my data for this part of the lab. Am I doing something wrong?
So in this experiment the combined mass is held constant. That explains why you get a straight line.
Yes, it would be m kg-1s-2. Don't worry about how odd it looks.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: guyvsdcsniper

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
809
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
958
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K