Laboratory Report Format

Advanced Study Assignment questions should be compoeted before coming to the laboratory. Even if the questions are answered incorrectly, every question must be attempted. This will be taken up at the beginning of each laboratory.

The laboratory report must be turned in at the end of that day's lab, but some information may be (I suggest that you do this) completed before coming to lab. Lab reports will be returned to you at the beginning of the next lab meeting, with the last lab report being returned to you in class.

You must use pencils to write up lab reports.

Lab partners are allowed. You should collect your data together, but everything else must be done individually. You are allowed to compare your results with one another. If there is a descrepancy among your results, you can try to resolve the problem, but you must allow yourself time to finish the report.

Components of the lab report are:
     Title Page: Your name, lab partner's names, experiment number and title, and date is the only information that must apear on the first page of your report. This section, except for your lab partner's names, can be done before coming to lab!
     Introduction: This section is similar to the relevant parts(sometimes you will not be performing all parts of a particular experiment) of the Introduction and Theory sections given in the lab manual. Write it in your own words as best as you can. If formulas are needed in the experiment, you need to, when applicable, show a derivation of them here and be sure to define each variable. If diagrams are shown in the lab manual or you feel that a diagram is needed in order to show the reader (not necessarily me) how to perform the experiment, then you should include these diagrams here as well. This section can be done before coming to lab!
     Equipment: This section is similar to the relevant parts of the Equipment Needed section given in the lab manual. Least counts for each measuring instrument must be included, and model numbers, serial numbers, and/or manufacturer's name for each major piece of equipment must be given. This sections, except for the model numbers, serial numbers, least counts, etc., can be done before coming to lab!
     Procedure: This sections is similar to the relevant parts of the Experimental Procedure section given in the lab manual. If apparatus diagrams are presented here in the lab manual, try to show them in your report as well. This section may be difficult to reword. This sections can be done before coming to lab!
     Data/Calculations: This section is similar to the relevant parts of the Laboratory Report section given in the lab manual. All relevant data tables that are shown here int eh lab manual must be duplicated in your report. *Remember to include units and uncertainties. Calculations should begin with the formaula that is veing used, and you need to show all work. Data table can be done before coming to lab as long as you leave enough space for data entry!
     Conclusions: This section is similar to the relevant parts of the Questions section given in the lab manual. This section must be done in lab!