What should be on the x and y axis of this graph?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on plotting a graph of acceleration as a function of net force, with acceleration on the vertical axis (y-axis) and net force on the horizontal axis (x-axis). The experiment involves a cart with weights connected to a pulley system, where the net force is calculated using the formula Fnet = ma. Participants confirm the calculations for net force and acceleration, emphasizing the relationship between these two variables as defined by Newton's second law of motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion (F = ma)
  • Basic knowledge of forces, including applied force and friction force
  • Familiarity with graphing techniques and line of best fit
  • Experience with experimental setups involving pulleys and weights
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  • Learn about graphing techniques for scientific data representation
  • Study the concept of net force and its calculation in various scenarios
  • Explore the effects of friction on acceleration in physics experiments
  • Investigate the use of software tools for data analysis and graphing
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Students in physics, educators teaching force and motion concepts, and anyone conducting experiments involving acceleration and net force.

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The question is:

Plot a graph of the acceleration (vertical axis) as a function of the net force for the trials in which the mass remained constant. Draw a line of best fit and calculate its slope. What does the graph indicate about the relationship betweena cceleration and net force?

What should be on my x and what should be on my y axis?
 
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acceleration (vertical axis)---y
net force for the trials---x
 
How do I figure out net force?
The experiment is a cart with weights with a string attatched to it, the string dangles over a pulley that is attatched to a flat desk and the weights on the end of the string use the force of gravity to pull the cart forward until the weight on the end of the string touches the floor.http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6541/untitledab4.jpg
That is what the experiment looks like, and this is what my chart looks like:
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7705/adadwr0.jpg
Note, total mass factors in the weights on the string too.So far I have done:

THIS IS FOR THE FIRST ROW
Fa = applied force
Ff = friction force
m = mass (kg)
a = acceleration (m/s^2)Fa + Ff = ma
Ff = ma - Fa
Ff = (.557)*(.43) - .39
Ff = -0.15049

Fnet = Ff + Fa
Fnet = 0.23951Is this correct?
Also how do you figure out Net force to mass? I did this for the first row netforce/kg one.
Fnet = ma
Fnet = .557*.43
Fnet = .23951

So the mass of the first one is .557.
Newtons/kg
.23951/.557
.43 N/kg
 
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