Physics (Graphs

• The x-axis shows the independent variable, while the y-axis shows the dependent variable.
• A graph is a visual display of information normally of two or more sets of values.
• Graphs are used to show trends over time, relationships between variables, and patterns within data.
• Variables are collection of data or information. There are two types of variables: Independent / Manipulated variable and Dependent / Responding variable.
• Dependent Variable - The response measured as a result of changing the independent variable
• Independent Variable - The factor that is changed by the experimenter
• The first variable given is plotted on the y- axis and the second on the x- axis.
• Scales must take up at least 75% of the graph paper
• Scales must be written in sequences.
• Determining the value to use for the y- axis

  1. Count the number of boxes
  2. Subtract the smallest value from the largest value.
  3. Divide the resulting answer by the number of boxes counted.
  4. Multiply the resulting answer by 2.
• Draw a line through the points
• Where 'x' and 'y' meet is known as the origin.
• The axes must have units. All graphs must have a title.
• The odd point out is known as an outlier or an anomalous point, meaning its different and does not fall in line with the rest of the data.
• Draw the best straight line through your values known as 'the line of best fit' ; which goes through as many points as possible. The line must give us something similar to an average.
• We can use an 'x' or '.' to represent the values on a graph.
• Don't use awkward scales like 3,6,9,12,15/ 7,14,21,28,35/ 9,18,27,45

  Use better scales like 1,2,3,4,5,6,7/ 2,4,6,8,10,12/ 5,10,15,20,25/ 10,2030,40,50