Science Chapter 3: Making Graphs

Questions and Answers

What are the four steps to make a graph?

Step 1- Choose the independent and dependent variable; Step 2- Make a scale for each axis; Step 3- Plot each point; Step 4- Draw a smooth curve.

What is a variable that can only have a positive value?

Distance

What is the difference between distance and position?

You can be in front or behind the origin.

Which way do negative and positive numbers go?

Positive numbers go to the right, negative numbers go to the left. Signup and view all the answers

What variables can be both positive and negative?

Position, speed, and force (vectors). Signup and view all the answers

Which way are north, east, south, and west positioned?

North is positive, East is positive, South is negative, West is negative. Signup and view all the answers

Where does position go and where does time go on a graph?

Position goes on the vertical axis (y-axis) and time goes on the horizontal axis (x-axis). Signup and view all the answers

What is physical science all about?

Relationships between variables. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the graph when the variables have a weak relationship?

The line looks like scattered dots, not an obvious pattern. Signup and view all the answers

What is a model?

A model is a relationship that connects two or more variables. Signup and view all the answers

What does a steeper line mean/show on a graph?

That the person/thing is moving faster. Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate acceleration?

You divide the change in speed by the total time. Signup and view all the answers

What is the word that people use to describe slowing down?

Deacceleration Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between constant speed and constant acceleration?

Constant acceleration means speed changes by the same amount each second, while constant speed means speed stays the same. Signup and view all the answers

When does acceleration occur?

Whenever there is a change in speed, direction, or both. Signup and view all the answers

What is curved motion and what causes it?

Curved motion is caused by sideways acceleration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a parabola?

A bowl-shaped curve. Signup and view all the answers

What axes are the independent and dependent variables on?

Independent: x axis, Dependent: y axis. Signup and view all the answers

What does m/s squared mean?

Meters per second per second. Signup and view all the answers

What is speed with direction called?

Velocity Signup and view all the answers

How is acceleration shown on a graph?

By the slope of the line. Signup and view all the answers

Which one is the x and y in this coordinate pair (3,5)?

3 is the x and 5 is the y. Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which velocity changes?

Acceleration Signup and view all the answers

If an object moves on a curved path, what is the force of gravity called?

The force is called parabola. Signup and view all the answers

How do you solve for intervals?

Extra credit: Signup and view all the answers

What is a projectile?

An object moving through space and affected only by gravity. Signup and view all the answers

What is average speed?

Average speed = change in speed divided by change in time. Signup and view all the answers

What is acceleration with constant speed?

Acceleration (with constant speed typically means no acceleration). Signup and view all the answers

What is the slope formula?

Slope = rise divided by run. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Graphing Basics

Four steps to create a graph:
- Identify dependent (y-axis) and independent variables (x-axis).
- Establish a scale for each axis based on the largest value.
- Plot each point by connecting the x-value to the corresponding y-value.
- Draw a smooth curve to represent the pattern, avoiding direct dot connections.

Understanding Variables

Distance is a variable that can only take positive values.
Position and distance differ; position indicates location relative to an origin.
Variables such as position, speed, and force can be both positive and negative, classified as vectors.

Coordinate System

Positive numbers move to the right (in front of the origin), while negative numbers move to the left (behind the origin).
Directions:
- North: Positive
- South: Negative
- East: Positive
- West: Negative
- Up: Positive
- Down: Negative
- Right: Positive
- Left: Negative

Graphing Position and Time

Position is plotted on the vertical axis (y-axis), while time is on the horizontal axis (x-axis).

Relationships in Physical Science

Physical science focuses on the relationships among variables.
Weak relationships in graphs appear as scattered points without a clear line or curve.

Understanding Models and Motion

Models illustrate relationships connecting two or more variables.
A steeper line on a graph indicates faster movement.
Acceleration is calculated by dividing the change in speed by total time.

Motion Characteristics

Deceleration describes a decrease in speed.
Constant acceleration means speed changes consistently over time, while constant speed remains unchanged.
Acceleration occurs with changes in speed, direction, or both.

Curved Motion

Curved motion, caused by sideways acceleration, results from turning.
A parabola is identified as a bowl-shaped curve.

Graph Interpretation

Independent variable is located on the x-axis; dependent variable on the y-axis.
"m/s²" represents meters per second squared, often denoted as lowercase g.
Velocity refers to speed with a specific direction.
Acceleration is depicted by the slope of a line on a graph.

Understanding Coordinates

In the coordinate pair (3,5), 3 represents the x-value and 5 the y-value.
Acceleration signifies the rate at which velocity changes.

Specific Motion Types

Objects on a curved path experience gravitational force termed "parabola."
Projectiles are objects moving through space, influenced solely by gravity.
Average speed is determined by the change in speed divided by the change in time.
The slope can be calculated using the formula: slope = rise/run.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the four essential steps for creating a graph in this Science Chapter 3 quiz. Explore the definitions and processes that lead to effective graphical representations of data. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of graph-making techniques.