Highschool Physics Lab report

HOW TO WRITE A LAB REPORT

Lab reports are an essential part of all laboratory courses. A lab report is how you explain what you did in an experiment, what you learned, and what the results meant. You will be required to write a lab reports for labs. Here is the standard format.

1. FORMAT/TITLE PAGE The reports should be submitted in .pdf form and should be typed, in Times New Roman, 12 pt font and double spaced. The title states what you did. It should be brief and should describe the main point/s of the experiment. Include the following information: a. The title of the experiment b. Your name and the names of any lab partners c. Your teacher’s name d. The date the lab was performed 2. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE Usually the Introduction is one paragraph (5-6 sentences) that explains the objectives or purpose of the lab. This should be where you state your hypothesis. This section should be written in complete sentences and should connect lab concepts to class content. The introduction should provide background information on the history of the concept tested, scientists, theories, and any laws tested in the experiment. It should also contain any prior knowledge on which the experiment is based including explanations of principles, definitions, experimental techniques, theories, and laws. 3. MATERIALS List everything needed to complete your experiment and include the purpose of each item. This includes all equipment, reagents, and computer programs used to complete the experiment. Drawing of the apparatus set-up should be included in this section if needed. 4. PROCEDURE List the steps you completed during your investigation. Be sufficiently detailed so that anyone could read this Section and duplicate your experiment. Write it as if you were giving directions. Try to use an action verb at the beginning of each sentence. Number your steps. 5. DATA Numerical data obtained from you procedure usually is presented as a table. Data encompasses what you recorded when you conducted the experiment. It is the facts only, not any interpretation of what they mean. 6. RESULTS + ANALYSIS Results describe in words what the data means. The Data section contains numbers. The Analysis section contains any calculations you made based on those number. This is where you interpret the data and determine whether or not a hypothesis was accepted. This is also where you would discuss any mistakes you might have made while conducting the investigation. You might also wish to include ways this study might have been improved **FIGURES & GRAPHS Graphs and figures must both be labeled with a descriptive title. Label the axes on the graph, being sure to include units or measurement. Your teacher will instruct you as to when graphs and figures are appropriate and which ones to include 7. CONCLUSION Conclusions are usually a single paragraph that sums up what happened in the experiment, whether your hypothesis was accepted or rejected and what this means.

Rubric __________1. Format (4 pts) Submitted in .pdf format, typed, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double spaced, correct title page, headings for each section

__________2. Introduction/Purpose (10 pts) 5-6 sentences, includes hypothesis & purpose of lab, explains the scientific theory behind the lab ( at least 4 vocabulary terms used correctly)

__________3. Materials (4 pts) Diagram of lab set-up is included. Materials are listed in bulleted form with a short explanation of each material’s purpose.

__________4. Procedure (10 pts) 5-6 steps are listed and numbered. Steps should “command” and be descriptive.

__________5. Data (7 pts) All measurements taken in lab are organized in a table with headings for each column.

_________ 6. Results + Analysis (10 pts) Math/Graphs are shown here and described adequately.

_________7. Conclusion (5 pts) 5-6 sentences. Experiment is evaluated- how did it go? What went wrong? What went right? How could the experiment be improved? How could you experiment further?

_______/ 50 pts