Physics lab report

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LAB REPORT GUIDELINES

Lab Report must be typed. Lab report should be typed from the third person; in the passive form

and in the past tense.

Parameters for typed lab report: Font: Times New Roman, Size: 12 Line Spacing: 1.0 (The

possibility to use the other programs rather than Microsoft Office to type lab reports can be

discussed with the TA).

Signed sheets with the experimental data must be stapled to the back of the lab report. All graphs

must be labeled. Lab reports without the signed data sheets attached will automatically get a

zero score.

Lab Report includes the following parts. Each part should be clearly marked in the lab report:

 Title page (2 points): Name of the experiment; Student’s name (prominent); lab partners’ names; Group Number (number attached to the lab computers); TAs name.

 Experimental Data (8 points): raw data collected during the lab experiment and that will be used in the further calculations. The experimental data should be tabulated or otherwise

distinctly entered onto the data sheet. Tables should have appropriate headings and contain

units. All data sheets and computer printouts generated in class have to be labeled Fig.1, Fig.

2, and attached later to the lab report. The data may be transferred to computer spread-sheets,

etc., for analysis if the team so desires.

 Data analysis section (25 points): contains calculations of the physics quantity that needs to be found to achieve the lab objective. All intermediate calculations have to be present with

the equations. Equations to calculate uncertainties of the experiment should also be present.

Microsoft equation is one of the programs that can be used for typing the equation. Other

programs are also permitted. Results and uncertainties have to be reported with the correct

number of significant figures and appropriate unit.

 Conclusion section (25 points): This is one of the most important part of the lab report. Begin discussion with the purpose of the experiment. Briefly explain the physics theory/concept that

was tested. State only the key/final results (with uncertainty and units) quantitatively with

numerical values; does not provide intermediate quantities. Describe difficulties and

shortcomings that were encountered during the experiment and it caused the uncertainties in

the final results. Discuss “statistical errors” that affect your measurements, but which you can't

do anything about given the time and equipment constraints of this laboratory. Suggest

experimental redesigns to eliminate and overcome these troubles. Include a description of

sources of “systematic errors” in your measurement that bias your result (e.g. friction in pulleys

that are assumed frictionless in the formula). Describe the qualitative effect of each source of

error (e.g. friction slowed motion, causing a smaller value of acceleration to be

measured). Describe only the prominent sources of error in the experiment. Address questions

such as: Are the deviations in the experimental results due to uncertainty in the experimental

method, or are they due to idealizations inherent in the theory (or both)? If the deviations are

due to experimental uncertainties, can you think of ways to decrease the amount of uncertainty?

Discuss how the apparatus could be redesigned to reduce uncertainties or to streamline

experimental technique. If the deviations are due to idealizations in the theory, what factors

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has the theory neglected to consider? All questions from the Lab Manual should also be

answered in the discussion section. The conclusion should state if the objective of the

experiment was achieved and why or why not.

Overall the full lab report is expected to be about 4 pages+ title page.