Our inspiration for this project was the graphing calculator desmos.com as it helps to understand the complex relations between two axis - where we related it to the variables we encounter during a physics required practical. As A-level Physics students, we thought it would be easier to draw graphs if we know whether we are actually drawing the graph write in the first place - similar to putting it into an excel spreadsheet, but this process can be tedious or errors can still arise if processed incorrectly.
This app allows the user to input data and accurately graph it, tailored specifically to what the required practical is looking for. Additionally, it returns the y-intercept and gradient of the graph and what they are in relation to the physics formula that is being used in the RP. The formula needed for each RP and how it is linearized is also shown.
We built it collaboratively using python and in-built libraries (matplotlib and Tkinter) - sharing the code through GitHub. We used abstraction to first code the most basic function of generating a graph, then we added on from there.
One challenge we ran into was understanding how GitHub worked and how to make a collaborative coding space - since it was both me and my partner's first time using a git to share code. Accomplishments we are proud of include linearizing each formula and generating an accurate graph with custom, user-inputted data and efficiently using GitHub to add features and push them to the main code - resulting in the final product.
The 3 main things we learnt from this experience would be understanding python libraries (Tkinter and matplotlib), how gits (GitHub) worked, and each required practical themselves (since we are both A- level physics students, this helped us improve our own academia).
The next steps for Physics RPlus is to widen our scope and enhance our tools. Currently, it is an app that acts as a graphing calculator only for A-level Physics. We hope to add more features such as the methods, necessary equipment, risk assessment and how to set up the practical with a diagram. We also hope to accommodate other fields of study that can use the help of visualising graphs.
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