Disclaimer: This activity was adapted from a learning resource material in Queens University,

California.

The purpose of this practice exercise is to help prepare you to complete the Word and Excel
Assignment.
This exercise requires you to use the following:
• Microsoft Excel for creating tables, scatter plots, and completing data analysis.
• Microsoft Word for creating a summary document containing the results and discussion
from two Excel exercise. Specifically, Word will be used to import tables/plots; create text,
equations, captions, and drawings; and to use built-in tools for heading styles, automatic
referencing and citations, and tables of contents.

Required Software: This practice exercise can be completed on both PCs and Macs. You will need
the following software and plug-ins:

1. Microsoft Excel - Ensure the “Analysis ToolPak” plug-in is installed in your version.
2. Microsoft Word - Ensure you have the option to use the IEEE reference style in the Word
citation management tool.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this assignment, students will be able to:

1. Input experimental data into Microsoft Excel.

2. Perform calculations in Microsoft Excel using both manually inputting formulas and
built-in functions.
3. Generate simple and effective tables and graphs to describe experimental data in
Microsoft Excel.
4. Perform basic data analysis in Microsoft Excel. Specifically, students will be able to
perform regression and residual analyses as part of a laboratory error analysis.
5. Properly format and organize a formal laboratory report in Microsoft Word.
6. Integrate both graphs and tables created in Microsoft Excel into a laboratory report
in Microsoft Word.
7. Generate equations, sample calculations, and basic diagrams in Microsoft Word.
8. Correctly reference resources used in a formal laboratory report using IEEE format.
9. Critically evaluate experimental results on a basic level.

Instructions: To complete the question, you will need to create multiple tables and graphs in
Microsoft Excel, and you will need to import them into a properly formatted Microsoft Word
document.

Formatting Requirements

1. Saving your File: The assignment should be saved as a file entitled:

ID#_LabExer4_Lastname_Firstname
2. Text: All text should be left justified. Do not use full justification. Paragraphs should not be
indented and should, instead, be separated by a space. Use size 11 Calibri font. Edit your
writing for spelling and grammar. Write as concisely as possible.
3. Title Page: Include a title page with your name, student number, course number (APSC 100),
and submission date.
4. Point of View: The report should be written in 3rd person. Do not use “I” or “we.”
5. Headers/Page Numbers:
• Use Word Header & Footer to insert a header, including your last name and the page
number, positioned at the top right side of the page.
• Your name should be separated from the number using a vertical line, similar to
“Smith | 1”. The title page should not have a page number.
• Use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.) for the page numbers for the Table of Contents,
List of Figures, and List of Tables pages.
• Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) begin on the first page of the assignment and should be
used for all subsequent pages (including appendices when applicable).
6. Headings: Use Word Styles to consistently format your headings for sections and subsections.
Each question and the references section should have its own heading.
7. Tables and Graphs:
o Use consistent formatting for tables and graphs.
o Consider the following guidelines for effective graphics in a laboratory report:
a) Tables
▪ Maximize white space.
• Eliminate vertical lines between cells.
• Where possible, minimize the number of horizontal lines between cells.
▪ Centre text in cells.
▪ Avoid using colour where possible.
b) Graphs
a. Do not include chart titles.
b. Your figure caption should sufficiently introduce the contents of your
graph.
c. Do include axis titles (with units).
d. Eliminate/Reduce horizontal and vertical gridlines when appropriate.
Horizontal and vertical gridlines should only be included if they highlight
key data points or are critical for making your graph more legible.
e. Avoid using colour where possible.
f. When inserting graphs into a report, make sure they are an appropriate
size. Graphs/Figures should be as small as possible, while still remaining
clear and legible to the naked eye (without zoom). It is appropriate to
conserve space and place figures side-by-side if they are clear, legible,
and their content is related.

8. Captions: Include captions below figures and above tables using the Word Captions tool. Refer
to each figure and table in the body of your report using cross-referencing, also found under the
Word Captions tool. Use the “Only Label and Number” option when inserting cross references
such that the references appear as “Table 1” or “Figure 1” in the body of the report.
9. Table of Contents: Use Word Table of Contents to generate a Table of Contents page from the
headings. Note that Word will do this automatically provided that you have used styles for your
section headings.

10. List of Figures/ List of Tables: Use Word Captions to insert a List of Figures and List of Tables
immediately after the Table of Contents page, generated from the captions used for your figures.
The Table of Contents, List of Figures, and List of Tables should not be included in the Table of
Contents.

11. References: Use Word Citations & Bibliography to insert in text citations and add a references
section to the end of your document. Reference all documents used. Citations must be in IEEE
style. It is not mandatory that you use the Microsoft Word citation management tool. You are
free to use other citations management tools (e.g. Zotero). No citation management tools are
perfect. It is always expected that you manually check that your citations are generated in proper
IEEE format and that you make all necessary adjustments.

12. Significant Figures: If not instructed otherwise, for the purposes of this assignment, report all
numerical values to 4 significant figures.

13. Numbering Equations: Number all equations included in the body of the report. Any equations
included should be referenced at least once by number in the explanatory text. It is not expected
that students use Word Captions to generate equation captions, crossreferences, or a List of
Equations.

14. Sample Calculations: Consider the following structure for effective sample calculations: I.
Include the generic form of the equation. Ensure the equation is numbered. II. Define all variables.
III. Substitute numeric values into the equation with units. IV. Report the final answer with units.

15. Units: When reporting units, ensure there is a space between the numerical value and the
unit. However, a space should not be left between the numerical value and the unit for
percentages or degrees.

Activity: Resistance in a Circuit

An experiment was conducted by some engineering students to study voltage, current, resistance,
and power in a circuit that consists of a voltage source and a resistive load (a light bulb) connected
in series. The output voltage of the voltage source, 𝑉, was varied over time and the current, 𝐼,
through the circuit was measured, as shown in Table 2. You have been asked to calculate some
other quantities shown in Table 2. ∆𝐸 represents the energy dissipated in the resistor over a time
interval of ∆𝑡 = 0.20 𝑠, and ∆𝑄 represents the charge flow through the resistor over a time interval
of ∆𝑡 = 0.20𝑠.
1. Enter the data above into an Excel spreadsheet.
2. To populate the last four columns in Table 2, calculate ∆𝐸, ∆𝑄, and 𝐼2 for each time interval (∆𝑡 =
0.2𝑠) using the given formulas (see the box).
3. Format the cells in the last four columns to display two decimal places.
4. Use the SUM function in Excel to find the total energy consumption and the total charge
consumption over 3.6 seconds. Display the results in a new (appropriately labeled) row at the
bottom of the table.
5. Construct a scatter plot of 𝑃 vs. 𝐼2, with 𝑃 on the y-axis and 𝐼2 on the x-axis. The plot has the form:
𝑃 = 𝑅(𝐼2)+𝑃0 where 𝑃0 and 𝑅 are unknown quantities to be fit from the generic linear equation
of the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 +𝑏. In this equation, m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept.
6. Add a trendline to the data series and display the equation on the plot, with correct variable
names. Label both axes appropriately and include units.
7. Use the Regression Tool to complete a regression analysis with a 68% confidence level and
produce both residuals and a residual plot for the data series. Confidence levels are related to
standard error, which will be explored in APSC 100 Module 2.
8. Enter the table below in your spreadsheet with appropriate values obtained from the regression
analysis. Note that the resistance, 𝑅, is the slope of the trendline.

9. From the regression output, use Descriptive Statistics (in the Analysis Toolpak) to determine the
mean and standard error of the residuals of the regression analysis. Check the summary statistics
box and use a 68% confidence level. Include the following table in your report and fill in the data.
10. In the report, using the tools in the “Illustrations” toolbar under the “Insert” tab in MS Word, draw
a simple series circuit with one open switch, one resistive load (a light bulb), and one voltage
source (modelled as a battery) using appropriate symbols. You may use external diagrams for
circuit elements however ensure any non-original work is properly cited. Use the data from data
point #18 to label the voltage from the voltage source, the resistance of the resistor, and the
current in the circuit, including appropriate units. Make sure to “Group” all the drawing elements
at the end. (Hint: If you insert and images or symbols as a picture, make sure to select the option
“In front of text” in the “Wrap text” option on the right-click menu of the picture).
11. TO HAND IN: include the following in your Word report (remember to include numbers and
captions for all tables and figures; captions are positioned above tables and below figures).
a. A short paragraph outlining the study.
b. The Excel table of your results (a completed Table 2).
c. The plot of the results with trendline and equation included.
d. Residual plot for the results and explanation as to what the residual indicates (see Section
5.3.2 in Excel 2013 Tutorial for more information).
e. The summary table of the mean and standard error of the residuals. What do you notice
about the mean of the residuals?
f. The final summary table including the resistance data.
g. The circuit drawing with proper labels and symbols.
h. A short discussion paragraph to summarize the findings. In your discussion, include the
power and current equations (𝑃 and 𝐼) using the equation editor in Word. Furthermore,
discuss the physical significance of the intercept you found; what should this intercept be
if there are no measurement errors?