Experiment 18 Use of a Computer in Laboratory Analysis

Part A Plotting a Standard Curve Using Excel Spreadsheet Software 

Note Use hypothetical data to practice plotting a standard curve with the Excel spreadsheet software procedure below. Later experiments will refer you back to this procedure to plot standard curves for real experiments. Launch Excel (or click hie then new if already launched) to begin. 

Type in the data for the standard curve in the A and B spreadsheet columns. Use the A column for the concentrations and the B column for the corresponding instrument readout values. For the unknowns and control, type in the instrument readout values in the B column cells, but leave the concentration cells blank. When finished, the A and B columns should appear as in Table 6.1, in which there are four standards with concentrations of 1,2, 3, and 4 ppm, two unknowns, and one control. 

Place the cursor in the A1 cell. Under tools select data analysis, highlight regression, and click OK. (Note If data analysis is not active in your Excel program, go to help for instructions on how to load it.) 

Place the cursor in the input Y range slot. Enter B1 B3 if there are three standards, B1 B4 if there are four standards, etc. 

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