These guidelines are for your major lab reports. Maintain the highest standard of organization, grammar, and clarity at all times. There will be two major labs that are averaged into one major lab grade each six weeks.
A lab notebook must be maintained showing the record of what happened during your lab experience, including mistakes and misinterpretations. Therefore, all records must be made in ink. Erasures are not permitted. Any mistakes must be crossed out neatly, so that the original information can still be read. Write only on the right side of your lab notebook. The left-hand side is reserved for corrections and further reflection. You may also jot down notes to yourself on the left side. Example: notes about the procedure. You may also jot down data on the left side, but data must still be included in the appropriate section in the major lab report. It is permissible to rewrite your information for clarity, but the original data must be preserved (remember, this can be on the left side of your notebook). You will have three days to complete each lab report. All lab books for a particular group should be turned in at the same time.
Heading: (2 pts)
| Lab Name: | Student Name: | |
| Experimental Date: | Partner Name: | |
| Partner Name: | ||
| Partner Name: |
Purpose/Hypothesis (5 pts):
A hypothesis is a prediction of the relationship between two variables. For example, a hypothesis might be that The terminal velocity of a balloon is inversely related to the square of the balloon’s radius. Unfortunately, in a typical physics lab, equipment and time limitations often prohibit such a precise prediction. It is also useful to study the non-ideal case of a well-understood phenomenon. For example, we could Compare the changes in kinetic and potential energy of a pole-vaulter with those predicted by the conservation of energy. In this case, we will refer to the initial statement as a purpose. Or, you could state I believe the index of refraction of glass will be 1.50. At any rate, this section of your lab report should be a short (2 to 3 sentences) description of the goals of your experiment.
Materials:
This section should contain a clear, labeled diagram of your experimental apparatus. Procedure (10 pts):
This is a detailed description of how your experiment was carried out. Your procedure must be clear enough so that another person who was not in class could reproduce your experiment.
Data (20 pts):
All data from the experiment should be included in tabular form with units. You must include a section (5 pts) where you record the accuracy of each measuring instrument used (For example, you determined a length measurement determined with a meter stick. You must list in this section, “meter stick: +/- 0.05 cm”). Title this section as “Significance of Measuring Instruments.” Record data in the appropriate number of significant figures. Remember, all experimental data must be included.
Analysis (20 pts):
This section should include any calculations and/or graphs constructed using your experimental data. Graphs must have appropriately labeled axes and be on graph paper. Or, graphs may be printed using a graph link from your calculator, but appropriately labeled axes are still required (If graphs are not presented in this way, there will be an automatic 5 point deduction). Calculations must include formulas and units. Remember, your calculated answers can have no more significant figures than your least significant measurement. Please include a statement supporting the number of significant figures in your calculated answers. (For example, a calculation was performed using this data: 0.125 cm and 3.2 sec. The least significant piece of data contains two significant figures. The answer is not 0.039063, but 0.039 cm/s. In division, your answer cannot have more significant figures than the least significant measurement. 0.125 cm has three significant figures and 3.2 sec has two significant figures. Your answer can only have two significant figures.). In the case of repetitive calculations, only one example calculation is required. If you use a spreadsheet, please include your algorithms. If you use a regression analysis, please include the regression equation, substituting the correct variables studied instead of x and y.
Error (10 pts):
Error analysis should be specific and differentiate between random and systematic errors. The phrases “human error” or “calculations errors” cannot appear anywhere! Also, do not blame any errors on the computer or the sensors. At least one error of each type should be noted.
Improvements (10 pts):
This section describes how the experiment could be done better. There are three different parts to this section. Please label each part. You must note at least one improvement that includes changes in your procedure (label as Changes in Procedure). You must include at least one improvement in which you describe alternate equipment that could be used (label as Changes in Equipment). You must describe at least one topic for further study (label as Topics for Further Study). Label each type of improvement (i.e. Changes in Procedure, Alternate Equipment, & Topic for Further Study).
Conclusion (10 pts):
Your conclusion should address what you learned. In a major lab, it is not just a simple one-sentence answer to your hypothesis. The results should explicitly refer back to your analysis. Make sure that each graph constructed during the analysis is described using complete sentences. Conclusions should be one paragraph long. You should state whether your hypotheses was accepted or rejected.
Presentation (0 to 10 pts):