What do the slope and intercept represent in a Mass vs 1/acceleration graph?
I have run a cart+fence along a level air track. I have been told to make the graph shown here of mass against reciprocal acceleration. What is the significance of the m/a slope, and what is the significance of the intercept?
The equation in the legend is of the trendline for these data.
I have run a cart+fence along a level air track. I have been told to make the graph shown here of mass against reciprocal acceleration. What is the significance of the m/a slope, and what is the significance of the intercept?
The equation in the legend is of the trendline for these data.
1 Answer
Gradient: Force
Y-Intercept: Systematic Error
Explanation:
The gradient of a graph is
Which is equal to Force (
So the gradient represents the constant force applied.
A y-intercept occurs when there is a error that applies to all tests (systematic error). This is because our equation
In this case you have a small positive y-intercept.
This could have been caused by a range of errors when conducting the experiment. A few possible ideas are an extra force applied to hold the cart in place which could be due to the ramp being on a slight slope, holding the cart with your hand. The error could have also be used by the scale being calibrated incorrectly, you measuring the mass incorrectly.
There are a range of possibilities that could cause the intercept. I suggest thinking of something that affected all tests and using that as a reason.