What Do Slope and Y-Intercept Mean in Finding Gravity Constant?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BayernBlues
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Constant Gravity
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the slope and y-intercept of the linear equation derived from graphing acceleration against mass differences in a pulley system. The slope, 0.0144, represents the relationship between the change in mass and acceleration, while the y-intercept, -0.0875, indicates the frictional force's impact when mass is zero. To find the local acceleration, one can use the slope in conjunction with the gravitational constant, while the y-intercept helps quantify the frictional force. The equation provided relates local acceleration to the total mass and frictional force, emphasizing the need to account for both in calculations. Clarifying these concepts is essential for accurately determining the gravity constant in the context of the experiment.
BayernBlues
Messages
61
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



So I need to find the values for local acceleration and frictional force due to a pulley system using the equation below. After graphing acceleration for various ∆mass vs acceleration using Excel, I get the following equation:
y = 0.0144x - 0.0875

I don't understand what the slope and y intercept in this equation represent though, how can I use them to find the 'local acceleration and frictional force'?

Homework Equations



a = (∆m/TOTAL MASS)g - (f/TOTAL MASS)

where f = frictional force

The Attempt at a Solution



I think I'm supposed to get the gravity constant from the linear equation, but not sure how. Obviously it's not 0.0144.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What did your setup look like?

A hanging load (mass ∆m) pulling a trolley (string passing over pulley) with constant mass (mass m) horizontally? So that TOTAL (ACCELERATING) MASS = ∆m + m?
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top