Any way to compute physics formulas in Excel using values and dimensions?

Question

I would like to be able to setup and compute physics formulas in Excel that operate on both the values and the dimensions.  For example, the metric formula for computing the velocity (v) of a falling object after time (t) second with an initial velocity (v0) is:

v = g*t+v0, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).

I would like to specify inputs as follows:

t: 5 s

v0: 100 m/s

g: 9.8 m/s^2

Compute: (5 s) * (9.8 m/s^2) + 100 m/s = 149 m/s

Now, in Excel, if cell A1=5, A2=9.8, A3=100, I could create a formula in A4: =A1*A2+A3 to correctly computer 149

But, there seems to be no way to properly compute the dimensions: s * m/s^2 + m/s = m/s

A true physical formula manipulates both the values and the dimensions of the values.

If Excel cannot do this, it would seem to be an excellent suggestion for a future version.  It would also be great to be able to enter such dimensions using true equations with subscripts, superscripts, square root symbols, etc. as can be done in MS Word.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi MesPia

I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

In Excel, you cannot enter and automaticallycalculate true maths equations, but you can calculate any maths calculation in Excel using either standard formula or using the built-in functions in Excel, Excel has a vast array of Functionality built-in . . .

For s * m/s^2 + m/s you should be able to use this type of formula:

=A1*(B1^2)+B1

And to get the Square Root of a number, you can use the SQRT function

=A1*SQRT(B1)+C1

Answer 2

Thanks, but as I mentioned in my post, I'm aware of the methods for manipulating values.  Was just hoping for a similar way to manipulate symbols as in the dimensions of physical values.  I guess I'll just submit that as a suggestion to Microsoft for a future feature of Excel.