I keep getting “Graph slope and intercept” questions wrong in Experimental Skills. What's the trap?
using the visual angle of a plotted line as its physical slope.
The usual trap: using the visual angle of a plotted line as its physical slope. How to avoid it: slope is Delta y/Delta x with axis scales and units. Go back to the definition — A graph can transform a law into y = mx + c. The slope must be calculated with two well-separated points on the best-fit line, not necessarily two raw data points, and it carries units.
Key point
Graph slope and intercept
Common mistake
using the visual angle of a plotted line as its physical slope.
Memory tip
slope is Delta y/Delta x with axis scales and units.
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