Physics Lab Report:
The following is an outline of a Physics lab write up. I will follow this format when grading your lab. If a portion of your lab is omitted, I will let you know beforehand. If nothing is stated then you are expected to have all the parts of the lab. Check your lab against this outline before you turn your lab in to make sure it is complete. Most labs are worth 35 points. If a part is omitted then I will adjust the point value of each part.
Lab Parts:
In the upper right hand corner of the first page, write your name, the date, and the names of lab partners.
Pre Lab: This is to be done the day before, more likely as homework. Prepare as much as possible prior to the actual lab day (titled pre-lab). Before you are to begin your actual lab experiment, your teacher will initial your lab to indicate that you have completed your pre-lab portion.
I. Give the lab a number and a title. (Creativity is appreciated, but a subtitle should be more descriptive of the procedure.)
Points Possible: 2
II. Objectives of the lab. What are you trying to accomplish and/or determine.
Points Possible: 3
III. Discussion is where essential background information to be used during the experiment is determined and explained. Important formulas, constants, procedural cautions for safety or error reduction, ect. , is included.
Points Possible: 5
IV. List materials used and provide a brief description or diagram of the set up.
Points Possible: 2
V. Procedure should be quantitative enought that anyone could follow them.
Points Possible: 3
Lab Day (and beyond?)
VI. Data is to be gathered and recorded in a form clearly and quickly discerned by the reader. A data table can be the most concise way to do this. DO NOT forget to include units on all measurements. Be sure that each measurement contains the uncertainty of the instrument. The following are the uncertainties of some of the common instruments used: ruler = +/- .5 mm,
thermometer = +/- .1 degree Celsius.
Sample data table:
Distance, x (mm) Time, t (s) Speed, v (m/s)
Trial 1 5.3 mm +/- .5 mm
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
The data tables can be set up ahead of time, so that you record numerical data directlyonto the tables during the lab, to save time.
If you have more than one data table or more than one graph, number tham (table 1 or graph 1, etc.) to make it easier to refer to them in your analysis.
Also include physical observations. These can be written after your data table.
Points Possible: 5
VII Analysis should include:
Graphs:
a. All graphs can be directly from a computer printout. Make the graph at least 1/2 page large.
b. Each graph must have a title. The title should not be a repeat of the axis labels. It should clearly differentiate the graph from any others. For example "Graph II - The force on the 0.5 kg cart versus its resulting acceleration " is much clearer than "Graph II - force versus acceleration".
c. Each axis must have a clear label followed by the units of the labeled quantity.
d. The scale used on each axis must be clearly stated and easy to read.
e. All plotted points must be small and made clearly visible by drawing a circle or box, triangle, etcl, around each point. Draw all curves smoothly with a sharp pencil. Where more than one curve is drawn on the same set of axes, each curve should be clearly identified.
f. If a slope is to be found from the graph, show the triangle used and write the numerical value and units of the "rise" and "run" along the respective sides of the triangle.
Calculations: Each calculation should include:
a. short introductory statement indicating what is being calculated.
b. the equation to be used.
c. the substitution(s)
d. the BOXED answer written with the proper units.
Questions: (If given)
a. All answers should be written in complete sentences that do NOT require the reader to guess what the questionwas. The answer should NEVER begin with the words "it" or "they".
Points Possible: 9
VIII. Conclusion/Summary
Recall that you performed the experiment with a specific purpose or "objectives" in mind. This section of the report is a brief statement of your results and whether or not you achieved your objectives. Restate each objective and explain how or where this objective was accomplished. If the objective was to find a numerical result, state your result.
Points Possible: 3
IX. % Error/Error Analysis: This should include:
a. calculation of percentage error, where applicable. Your value-true value/true value x 100 =
b. discussion of sources of error and possible methods of reducing those errors. Explain events that could and could NOT be prevented.
Points Possible: 3
Total Lab Points: 35 points
Lab Parts:
In the upper right hand corner of the first page, write your name, the date, and the names of lab partners.
Pre Lab: This is to be done the day before, more likely as homework. Prepare as much as possible prior to the actual lab day (titled pre-lab). Before you are to begin your actual lab experiment, your teacher will initial your lab to indicate that you have completed your pre-lab portion.
I. Give the lab a number and a title. (Creativity is appreciated, but a subtitle should be more descriptive of the procedure.)
Points Possible: 2
II. Objectives of the lab. What are you trying to accomplish and/or determine.
Points Possible: 3
III. Discussion is where essential background information to be used during the experiment is determined and explained. Important formulas, constants, procedural cautions for safety or error reduction, ect. , is included.
Points Possible: 5
IV. List materials used and provide a brief description or diagram of the set up.
Points Possible: 2
V. Procedure should be quantitative enought that anyone could follow them.
Points Possible: 3
Lab Day (and beyond?)
VI. Data is to be gathered and recorded in a form clearly and quickly discerned by the reader. A data table can be the most concise way to do this. DO NOT forget to include units on all measurements. Be sure that each measurement contains the uncertainty of the instrument. The following are the uncertainties of some of the common instruments used: ruler = +/- .5 mm,
thermometer = +/- .1 degree Celsius.
Sample data table:
Distance, x (mm) Time, t (s) Speed, v (m/s)
Trial 1 5.3 mm +/- .5 mm
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
The data tables can be set up ahead of time, so that you record numerical data directlyonto the tables during the lab, to save time.
If you have more than one data table or more than one graph, number tham (table 1 or graph 1, etc.) to make it easier to refer to them in your analysis.
Also include physical observations. These can be written after your data table.
Points Possible: 5
VII Analysis should include:
Graphs:
a. All graphs can be directly from a computer printout. Make the graph at least 1/2 page large.
b. Each graph must have a title. The title should not be a repeat of the axis labels. It should clearly differentiate the graph from any others. For example "Graph II - The force on the 0.5 kg cart versus its resulting acceleration " is much clearer than "Graph II - force versus acceleration".
c. Each axis must have a clear label followed by the units of the labeled quantity.
d. The scale used on each axis must be clearly stated and easy to read.
e. All plotted points must be small and made clearly visible by drawing a circle or box, triangle, etcl, around each point. Draw all curves smoothly with a sharp pencil. Where more than one curve is drawn on the same set of axes, each curve should be clearly identified.
f. If a slope is to be found from the graph, show the triangle used and write the numerical value and units of the "rise" and "run" along the respective sides of the triangle.
Calculations: Each calculation should include:
a. short introductory statement indicating what is being calculated.
b. the equation to be used.
c. the substitution(s)
d. the BOXED answer written with the proper units.
Questions: (If given)
a. All answers should be written in complete sentences that do NOT require the reader to guess what the questionwas. The answer should NEVER begin with the words "it" or "they".
Points Possible: 9
VIII. Conclusion/Summary
Recall that you performed the experiment with a specific purpose or "objectives" in mind. This section of the report is a brief statement of your results and whether or not you achieved your objectives. Restate each objective and explain how or where this objective was accomplished. If the objective was to find a numerical result, state your result.
Points Possible: 3
IX. % Error/Error Analysis: This should include:
a. calculation of percentage error, where applicable. Your value-true value/true value x 100 =
b. discussion of sources of error and possible methods of reducing those errors. Explain events that could and could NOT be prevented.
Points Possible: 3
Total Lab Points: 35 points