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.
- For the spring test, set up appropriate introductory text and column labels. Input your assigned load (y variable) and deformation (x variable) data.
- Obtain a linear regression (least squares) fit of the load vs. elongation data. Use all data points.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Obtain a linear regression (least squares) fit of the stress vs strain data. Use all data points.
- Generate a graph of the stress vs strain data. Your graph should contain a title and axes labels.
- 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.