Spreadsheets

For many of the experiments this semester, you will need to use a spreadsheet program.  You are permitted to use the spreadsheet program of your choice.  The  following help files were created by former IDE 120 students to aid future students.

Use a spreadsheet program to complete the following steps. Refer to the spreadsheet help files if you are unsure how to complete any of these tasks.

  1. For the spring test, set up appropriate introductory text and column labels. Input your assigned load (y variable) and deformation (x variable) data.
  2. Obtain a linear regression (least squares) fit of the load vs. elongation data. Use all data points. 
  3. Generate a graph of the data. Start the scales at zero and extend them slightly beyond the limits of the data. Your graph should contain a title and axes labels.
  4. For the tension test data, record the gage length and specimen diameter at a convenient location further down the page, and calculate the cross-sectional area.
  5. Add appropriately labeled columns and generate your calculated values of stress and strain. Your stress values (y-axis) are obtained by dividing the load values by the cross-sectional area, and the strains (x-axis) are obtained by dividing the deformation values by the gage length.
  6. Obtain a linear regression (least squares) fit of the stress vs strain data. Use all data points. 
  7. Generate a graph of the stress vs strain data. Your graph should contain a title and axes labels.
  8. Place your columns of data, linear regression results, and graphs on a single page if they will conveniently fit.

If you are interested, the following explains how to manually complete a linear regression.