Physics can feel inscrutable to students; this lesson helps them understand a graphing problem by analyzing their own ...

One of the most basic things students do in a physics lab is to collect data and use that to build a model. Most of these models come in the form of a mathematical function. But here is the problem.

Speed-time graphs show speed on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. The gradient of a speed-time graph represents acceleration because: gradient = \( \frac {\text{change in ...

In a distance-time graph, the gradient of the line is equal to the speed of the object. The greater the gradient (and the steeper the line) the faster the object is moving.

Imagine you want to study what happens when an object accelerates. Oh, this is way before any of that internet stuff—also, no computers or electronics. In fact, let's say it's the year 1780. What do ...