Shodor Computational Science Institute

Falling Objects in Excel

Dr. Holly Hirst
Appalachian State University
The Shodor Education Foundation
June 1998

The simple falling object model is implemented in excel below. Note that the two parameters, gravity and time_step, have been named using the name/define command in the format menu. Also, only the top rows have been reproduced here. The rows actually went down to row 85.

The initial column values are typed in, then the formulas are typed in, and finally the formulas are filled down the columns to row 85.

The graph of height and velocity is given below. It was created using the Chart Wizard -- highlight the three columns of data (time, velocity and height) and then click on the chart wizard icon in the tool bar.

A B C D E F G H
1 Falling              
2     time velocity height      
3 gravity =   0 0 10      
4 32   0.01 0 10 formulas:    
5     0.02 -0.32 10 c5 = =C4+time_step  
6 time step =   0.03 -0.64 9.9968 d5 = =-gravity*C4  
7 0.01   0.04 -0.96 9.9904 e5 = =E4+D4*time_step  
8     0.05 -1.28 9.9808      
9     0.06 -1.6 9.968      
10     0.07 -1.92 9.952      
11     0.08 -2.24 9.9328      
12     0.09 -2.56 9.9104      

ChartObject Velocity and Height


Introduction to Excel


Last update on: June 1, 1998
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