PHYSICS LAB REPORT

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Title: *3 to 5 words descriptive of the laboratory activity. Delete all text and instructions in red italics between the asterisks.*

__________________________________________________________________________ Abstract : * Write the Abstract for this report. An abstract is a single paragraph that summarizes the key points of the manuscript in 5 to 8 sentences. The abstract should be written in italics. Do not use equations or bullet points. Because this section is a summary, wait until all other sections have been written before writing this section. If you are having trouble writing the abstract you could try this strategy: write two sentences summarizing each of the main sections of the report. This will result in an abstract of about the correct length. Insert a page break after this section. Delete all text and instructions in red italics between the asterisks.*

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Introduction: *Write an introduction for this report. The intro should be ½ to one page in length. Showcase your understanding of the physical principle involved in the physical activity. Use these helpful guidelines:

Key Phrases for Lab Report Introductions:

· The purpose of this lab was to… (1 sentence)

· This experiment seeks to prove the theory of… (1-2 sentences)

· The report discusses/examines/compares… (2-4 sentences)

· The equations necessary for this experiment are…(1-2 sentences)

· It was observed that… (1-3 sentences)

A lab Introduction MUST have:

1. The purpose (hypothesis) of the experiment, clearly stated in simple language.

2. Important background information, briefly explained.

3. Relevant theory, briefly stated, and its connection to the experiment.

Introductions MAY occasionally include:

1. Description of unique or specialized equipment, when relevant.

2. Explanation/justification of the experiment’s importance, briefly stated.

3. Relevant equations and derivations, briefly stated.

Introductions should NOT include:

1. Excessive background: assume your audience knows as much as you know.

2. History of the theory, and any stories or anecdotes about how the theory was formed.

3. Digressions of any sort: stay on topic and stick to the essential aspects of the lab.

Delete all text and instructions in red between the asterisks.* __________________________________________________________________________

Methods: * Describe in your own words the experimental procedure used to complete the activity. This section is often very short, but should include information and non-obvious tips that would have been helpful in the instructions.

· Do not copy and paste, or simply repeat the directions given in the course materials.

· Do give details on anything you had to do, create, or figure out either on your own or with the help of classmates.

For instance, you will be directed to control certain variables and read out others. Describe how each is accomplished in this section. Delete all text and instructions in red italics between the asterisks.* __________________________________________________________________________

Results: *Write the Results portion of this report. As you did in Module 2, begin with a paragraph describing the experimental objective you were directed to test. This is a good place to discuss any calculations you needed to make and to show examples of these calculations. Be sure to discuss any uncertainties associated with your measurements. Use these helpful guidelines:

Key Phrases for Lab Report Results sections:

· Introduce the graphic element: The following chart/graph/table illustrates… (1-2 sentences)

· Interpret the data in the graphic: The data indicates… (2+ sentences)

*repeat this pattern for each graphic element

A lab Results sections MUST have:

1. Graphs, charts, tables or any other visually-represented data.

2. Text that bookends each graphic element, briefly introducing and interpreting the data.

3. Relevant trends indicated by the data, including error analysis.

Results sections MAY occasionally include:

1. Brief analysis and interpretation of the graphic data.

2. Explanation of the choice of graphic representation (or why the writer chose to use a graph, for example, instead of a table or chart).

3. Relevant equations and derivations, briefly stated.

Results sections should NOT include:

1. Fuzzy, difficult-to-read graphics.

2. Discussion of the experiment beyond interpretation of the data.

3. Drawing of conclusions.

Delete all text and instructions in red between the asterisks.*

Discussion: *Write the discussion portion of this report. Specifically address the results of the laboratory activity. Discuss how the results did or did not support the hypothesis or match the expected value of the parameter. Don’t repeat anything from your results section but do elaborate on those results. Use these helpful guidelines:

Key Phrases for Lab Report Discussion sections:

· The experiment found… (1-2 sentences)

· These results clearly indicate… (1-3 sentences)

· These results are significant because… (1-4 sentences)

· These results raise questions such as… (2+ sentences)

A lab Discussion sections MUST have:

1. Clear explanation of findings.

2. Explanation of what the results indicate and why this is significant.

3. Explanation of conclusions indicated by the data.

Discussion sections MAY occasionally include:

1. Discussion of ambiguities and how they affect the experiment.

2. Logical explanations for problems in the data.

3. Analysis of errors/limitations in the experiment, how they occurred, and how they affect the outcomes.

Discussion sections should NOT include:

1. A simplistic statement of results without interpretation.

2. The introduction of new ideas or hypotheses.

3. Information or analysis that does not directly correlate to the experiment.

Delete all text and instructions in red between the asterisks.* __________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion: *Write the Conclusion portion of this report. This section should be brief, at most one or two paragraphs, and serve to wrap up the laboratory report. Summarize those portions of the laboratory report which you have completed. As a suggested course of action, restate the Experimental objective and then summarize each activity of the laboratory in a single sentence. Summarize the discussion section in two to three sentences. Revise and rework these sentences into one or at most two paragraphs. Be succinct, avoiding digressions such as excessive background or history of the topic. Delete all text and instructions in red italics between the asterisks.*

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References: * College has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines for English usage as its standard. Refer to the provided Intro APA Tip Sheet from Library for proper citation formatting. Delete all text and instructions in red italics between the asterisks.*