CHM 114, Lab report

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unknown_metals_lab_report_outline.pdf

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Lab Report Writing Assignment Outline

For Investigation 1: What is the Unknown Metal?

Also refer to pages 1-5 in your lab manual for additional information on writing scientific lab reports

 Helpful Tips: o Write the lab report together, that way all lab members learn early on how to write each part

of the report.  Tip: Each group member can write a section and then assign another person to revise

that section so you can all trade. It makes the report flow nicely overall. o Make sure that the lab report flows together, it should not be obvious that each section was

written by a different person. o If one group member is weak in their writing skills, help them improve.

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Directions: Fill out the following lab report sections based on the data provided.

Title Page: Create your own title and include the names of all Lab group Members. Also include the name of your TA and the day of the week and time of your lab. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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Introduction: This section is your opportunity to explain what the goal(s) of the experiment were and to include some background information that supports why the experiment was necessary.

 State the problem and goals that you as a scientist wanted to accomplish.  Describe your general approach to solving the problem and include the background theory

behind your approach. Include any equations you will be using here and describe the variables.

o Note: You should not copy the description from the lab manual, and do not include any details from your experiment or any of your final results here. Those go in the next sections as described below.

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Procedure/Experimental: This section should include the materials you used during the investigation as well as the procedure

you followed. Give enough details such that someone else could read your description and repeat the experiment. This section should be written in third person (no “I”, “We”, etc.), and past tense (i.e., A total of 1.25g (0.0214 mol) NaCl was dissolved in 300 mL distilled water to make a 0.0713 M solution.). Do not report any results here. That will be done in the Results section.

o Reminders:  Put a zero in front of decimal places (0.500g rather than .500g)  Use correct significant figures. (addition or subtraction: number with least number of

decimal places determines number of decimal places in answer; multiplication or division: number with least number of significant figures determines sig figs in answer). Zeros after decimal place are significant, leading zeros before a non-zero digit are not significant.

 Include units with the correct number of significant figures for all numerical values.  Write in complete sentences, which make up complete paragraphs, not bullet points or list

format. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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Results: This is where you show how you calculated ALL of your results. Use a table or graph to organize and present your results, but do not explain them in detail here. That will be done in the Discussion section. Label all tables or graphs with a brief title/heading to indicate which part of the experiment they came from. Each table or graph should have an explanation of what information was collected, calculated or recorded for the experiment and include proper units.

o You should include one sample calculation for each calculation, both descriptive and numerical. You do not have to show every calculation done, just a sample of each one using actual data collected (For example, 3 trials of a similar calculation, only show 1 trial).

o Show statistical error calculations when appropriate. o Chemical Equations for example should include: phase symbols, charges, and balanced

equations, superscripts and subscripts. Such as: Example: 𝐴𝑙3+(𝑎𝑞) + 3𝐶𝑙−(𝑎𝑞) → 𝐴𝑙𝐶𝑙3 (𝑎𝑞)

 Use Equation Editor when possible to make the report more professional.  Number equations so that they can be referred to elsewhere in the report.

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Discussion: This is where you explain the results that you obtained. Do not repeat the experimental/procedure here. Discuss what results were obtained and whether or not these were the results that were expected. If not, explain why the results are different. Specifically relate your results to the main concepts of the lab.

o Draw a clear line between the main concepts of the lab, your results, and your conclusions. o Explain any issues/errors you encountered (other than human error), and what effect this may

have had on your results (i.e. why you may not have gotten the desired results.). If you messed up the experiment, explain what happened and what the effect on your results was or might be.

o State your statistical error and discuss its importance. o Relate the lab back to the main chemistry components of the lab by reiterating the

problems/goals/purpose of the Investigation (Remember: Reiterate ≠ restate).

o Cite any outside sources used. Any more than 3 words that are not your own should be cited. Include the full url for internet sources. If you did not know it before writing the lab report it is not common knowledge and needs to be cited! You can cite your lab manual. Examples:

 Copper is an element (common knowledge – do not need to cite)  Copper ore is mined and then obtained by acid leaching (not common knowledge –

CITE IT) ____________________________________________________________________________________

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Conclusion: This is where you conclude if the goal of the lab was achieved. Make sure to relate it back to the real world application of the lab.

o If the lab has a specific real world goal, explain if you achieved it and give your opinion as a scientist on the situation (Not in 1st person)

o Mention the bigger picture (real world/scientific connection) o End with a concluding statement about the lab.

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Works Cited:  ACS Style.

o Ex: Bauer, R., Birk, J., Sawyer, D. Laboratory Inquiry in Chemistry, 3rd ed.; Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning: Belmont, 2009.

 Use at least one reputable source other than your lab manual.

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