PHY102M

Henry Schreiner

The University of Texas at Austin

Using spreadsheets forlab work

CellsCells have names

Cells contain data, text, or formulasCells have formatsNormally overwrites, F2 or clicking again edits

Entering information

A B C

1 A1 B1 C1

2 A2 B2 C2

3 A3 B3 C3

Start with =Standard math symbols: +-*/^()Functions: SIN(), COS(), SQRT(), …Cells by name (click shortcut)

Formulas

A B C

1 1 = A1 + A2 + A3 6

2 2 = ( A1 + A2 ) / A3 1

3 3 = SQRT(A2 ^2) 2

You can refer to a range of cells using :A1:A3 refers to the cells A1, A2, and A3SUM(), AVERAGE(), …

Cell Ranges

A B C

1 1 =SUM(A1:A3) 6

2 2 =AVERAGE(A1:A3) 2

3 3

Normal copy/paste copies formulasMore options available

NumbersFormatsLinked cells

Copy and paste

Copy and paste automatically translates positions

Copy and paste formulas

A B C

1

2 =A1 =B1

3 =A2

Adding $ locks the following valueA$1 -> the 1 won’t change$A1 -> The A won’t change$A$1 -> Neither will change

Locking

A B C

1

2 =$A$1 =$A$1

3 =$A$1

Using the mouse, you can smart fill values quicklyWorks off selected cellsDrag the corner down or across

Smart fill

Using the mouse, you can smart fill values quickly

Works off selected cellsDrag the corner down or across

Formulas -> Like copy/pasteNumbers/Text -> Tries to guess the series

Smart fill

PI()SIN(x), COS(x), TAN(x)ASIN(x), ACOS(x), ATAN(x)SQRT(x)RADIANS(x), DEGREES(x)SUM(x), AVERAGE(X)CONVERT(x, “from”, “to”)SLOPE(y,x), INTERCEPT(y,x)

Handy formulas

Select a rangeInsert graphChoose typeFormat optionsLabelsTrend line and optionMove to separate sheet

Graphing

Changing typeChanging data sourceMultiple data sources on one graph

Advanced graphing

Page rangesScale to fitUse sheets if you can!Different views available

Printing

Cells can have a nameMakes formulas nicerFewer $Personal preference: Start names with _

Advanced: Naming cells

=$A$1 * $A$2 * B1

=_m * _g * B1

vs.

Use control to select ranges that don’t touchUseful for graphingAlso works in some other programs

Advanced: Unconnected selection

You can control sig-figs with formattingYou can change display typesYou can control color, etc.

Advanced: Cell formatting

0.001234 0.0012 1.2E-3

Super/subscriptsGreek lettersSpecial symbolsForce text with ‘

Advanced: Special text

Tables allow simple manipulation of tabular data

Auto-fills, auto-updates for formulasNicer range names (?)Easy sorting

Advanced: Tables (Excel)

List of functionsCan move cells by draggingCan show formulasCan show dependents

Sort: not (usually) a formula

Advanced: Formula helpers

j t=j/30 (s)

h (m) v (m/s) m*g*h

½*m*v^2

0 0.141 0.0001 0.113 0.2672 0.091 0.5333 0.083 0.8004 0.083 1.0675 0.026 1.3336 -0.016 1.6007 -0.053 1.8678 -0.071 2.133

Example lab-like work

m=2.1 kg g = 9.81 m/s2

Run 1

Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Average

Total

m (kg) m1 m2 m1+m2 m1+m2

v (m/s) 1.2 2.2 .70 .75

p=m*v

KE=1/2*m*v^2

Second example

m1=2.1 kg m2=0.93 kg

Appendix A in lab manualSpecific tutorials on 102M website

Look for help onlineLook for YouTube videos

Ask

More help