IV and VI graphs

This is the normal way that we do graphs with voltage on the x-axis and current in the y-axis. Wire A lets a lot of current through with small voltages. We say that it conducts well - it has a big CONDUCTANCE. (or a small resistance). Hence GRADIENT MEANS CONDUCTANCE. This is the old fashioned way of presenting the same information. Notice that the axes are the other way round. Notice that for B, even a large voltage produces only a small current. It has a high resistance. So now GRADIENT MEANS RESISTANCE.

This is our filament bulb graph. Notice that as the voltage increases, the gradient gets less. In other words, it doesn't conduct as well when it gets hot, because resistance increases.

Now look at the filament bulb when the axes get changed around. On this graph, gradient means resistance, so it needs to get steeper to show higher resistance.

YOU NEED TO CAREFULLY LOOK AT THE AXES ON ANY GRAPH AND THINK ABOUT IT. DON'T ASSUME!