Michael McConnell

This Physics computer lab activity (1hr 30 min or less*) guides students to write from scratch an Excel spreadsheet that enables them to build 2 dimensional electrostatic point charge distributions and measure the electric field (and F, V and PE) at points they specify. This activity (one of 21 activities from "The Spreadsheet Lab Manual") will provide an involved and detailed study of the mathematical nature of charge distributions. The instructions guide students to easy to follow directio

This activity provides instructions to construct a mathematical model on a blank spreadsheet that simulates population growth using an ideal model and a logistic model. The activity provides background discussion and then gives instructions on how to program a spreadsheet to produce and display the ideal and logistic population models. Their results are studied for various cases including human population, rabbits, polar bears, bacterial and yeast colonies. This quantitative population model

This activity allows students to construct a quantitative predator prey population simulation on a spreadsheet. They will then study the behavior or the model based on various situations outlined in the analysis section. The model is programmed by the students and assessment questions guide the students through altering the model variables and observing the effects on the output of the model. This works as a follow up to "Modeling Population Growth 1" from The Spreadsheet Lab Manual. After p

This activity guides students to construct a spreadsheet from a blank Excel workbook that will simulate titration of acids or bases. *Teacher background on Excel is not required* After constructing the spreadsheet and graphs the students will experiment with the spreadsheet to answer analysis questions that will help students learn the mathematical nature of titration (solutions are provided including descriptions of all spreadsheet manipulations necessary to solve each problem). The va

Solve 2 dimensional, non perpendicular vector addition problems on a spreadsheet students create from scratch. Outstanding concept review for adding vectors of all types. Students construct the spreadsheet in a computer lab or at home and then answer questions about how they programmed the spreadsheet and then solve problems using the spreadsheet. The answer key provides full descriptions of any/all necessary spreadsheet manipulations so it is perfect for a teacher needing to brush up on Ex

Provided: -Step by step instructions on how to model superposition of waves starting from a blank Excel (2007 or 2003) spreadsheet -Discussion section outlining objectives. -Assessment questions Appropriate for all levels of high school Physics. Applying spreadsheets to study science provides students with skills essential to success in higher education. This activity gives students an interactive experience manipulating variables and observing the resulting wave functions. ******Assessm

This math activity allows students to investigate the behavior of functions (Quadratic, Cubic, Hyperbolic and Exponential) by adjusting the domain over which the functions are viewed. Students are guided with step by step instructions on how to program a blank spreadsheet to graph functions of their choosing over intervals that they specify. Graphs are manipulated and students are guided to look at growth rates of functions and how they behave as they approach larger and smaller values. Real

Students will be guided to produce a spreadsheet from a blank Excel workbook that uses the quadratic formula to find the roots of a quadratic equation. They will then be guided to graph the functions and see the intersection points of the graph with the X axis. Then other nonlinear functions will be solved using Goal Seek. Goal Seek is a trial and error that allows students to solve equations that cannot be solved algebraically. Students will bring all terms of the equation to one side and

EXPAND THE USE OF SPREADSHEETS IN YOUR PHYSICS CURRICULUM... This Physics activity good for all levels of Physics is a free preview of "The Spreadsheet Lab Manual." It guides students to construct a mathematical simulation starting from a blank spreadsheet that quantitatively models freefall with air resistance as an object reaches terminal velocity. Students will be guided through an inquiry based simulation as they answer assessment questions and gain skills on spreadsheets while manipulati