Graphs & Line (Curve) of Best Fit
Line (Curve) of Best Fit http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/curve-fitting
Line (Curve) of Best Fit When data is displayed with a scatter plot, it is often useful to attempt to represent that data with the equation of a straight line (or curve) for purposes of predicting values that may not be displayed on the plot. A line (or curve) of best fit is a straight (or curved) line that best represents the data on a scatter plot. This line (or curve) may pass through some of the points, none of the points, or all of the points.
Example: Applied Force vs. Elongation 1. Plot the data points for force vs. elongation. The following data were obtained by varying the force applied to a spring and measuring the corresponding elongation of the spring. 0.20 0.40 Elongation (m)
Example: Applied Force vs. Elongation This slope shows the speed of the process, i.e. for every 30 N the spring elongates by 1 m. 2. Draw the best-fit line. 3. Using the best-fit line, determine the spring constant of the spring. rise=19N-10N=9N RT run=0.65m-0.35m=0.30m run=.65m-0.35m=0.30m rise=19N-10N=9N 0.20 0.40 Elongation (m)