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MCE 481 Lab Report Format

This document outlines the required sections and formatting for lab reports in an MCE 481 thermodynamics course. The lab report should include: a title page with identifying information; an abstract summarizing the experiment and results; a nomenclature listing symbols and units; an introduction with background and objectives; a theory section explaining governing equations; an experimental procedure and apparatus description; a results and discussion section with graphs, tables, and analysis; a conclusions section; and references. Sections must meet specific point requirements and follow guidelines for formatting figures, tables, and overall organization.

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Muhammad Hassan
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38 views

MCE 481 Lab Report Format

This document outlines the required sections and formatting for lab reports in an MCE 481 thermodynamics course. The lab report should include: a title page with identifying information; an abstract summarizing the experiment and results; a nomenclature listing symbols and units; an introduction with background and objectives; a theory section explaining governing equations; an experimental procedure and apparatus description; a results and discussion section with graphs, tables, and analysis; a conclusions section; and references. Sections must meet specific point requirements and follow guidelines for formatting figures, tables, and overall organization.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MCE 481 Lab Report Format

Students enrolled in this course are required to write technical reports for experiments they
conduct in thermodynamics. A lab report includes key sections as following:

1) TITLE PAGE: (5 points)


 Name of institution and department;
 Title and number of the experiment;
 Group number, group member names and their contribution;
 The date the experiment was performed;
 The date the report is due.

2) ABSTRACT: (5 points)
A brief synopsis of the experiment and what was learned. Abstract should only include
information that is in the body of the report. Write one or two paragraphs explaining:
 Why it is important to do the experiment;
 What was done in your experiment;
 The most significant results.

3) NOMENCLATURE: (5 points)
Make a list of all symbols and acronyms that are used and a short description of what they mean
and their unit used in calculations. See Fig.1 for an example.

Fig.1 – A sample nomenclature.

4) INTRODUCTION: (5 points)
 Background information of the work, not the theory. This can include references
to other work in the area. You need to cite your references. Text books, journal
papers, the internet, etc. are good reference materials. You are suggested to
include at least five references in every formal lab report. One of these references
can be your text book. By referencing some material in the Introduction section
you are showing a big picture of the topic.
 The objective or purpose for doing this work. What do you hope to accomplish?
State why results are important or how they can be used. Do not give the actual
results here.

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5) THEORY: (10 points)
Explain the theory used or being tested in the present experiment.
 Include the governing equations.
 Provide text to explain the equations.
 State conditions and assumptions, and explain the theory in your own words.
 Equations should be part of the text, not be separated from it.
 Number equations sequentially (Eq. 1, Eq. 2 etc.) throughout the report.
 Refer to any material taken from other sources.

6) EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE: (15 points)


In a detailed fashion explain equipment and the steps to perform the experiment.
 Give a detailed explanation of the equipment used to perform the experiment,
including:
 a picture, label the different parts;
 a schematic diagram of the system used in the experiment;
 the manufacturer or make of the equipment;
 how it works;
 measurement capability/range and accuracy;
 any other pertinent performance characteristics.
Number the figures (e.g. Fig. 1) and include a caption to describe them.
 Describe key steps taken to perform the experiment.

7) RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: (25 points)


This section should include all of the results required by the instructor and any other results
that demonstrate the objectives of the experiment. In addition, an insightful discussion of those
results should be given.
 Large arrays of data should be presented in graphical and/or tabulated form.
 The graphs and tables should be presented professionally (10 points):
i. All tables must be given a table number and caption. Number tables
sequentially throughout the report using Table 1, Table 2, etc. The table
number and caption are placed at the top of the table. Fig. 2 shows a
sample table.
ii. All plots should be made using computer programs. Axis labels are
defined in the axis title with the variable name and unit. Data points are
indicated with a maker. Use lines to represent the theoretical results. Each
marker and line is identified using a legend. Fig. 3 shows a sample plot.
iii. Plots are assigned with a Figure number and caption placed under the plot.
Number figures sequentially throughout the report using Fig. 1, Fig. 2,
Fig. 3, etc. In the text, you can refer to the figures by their numbers.
iv. Explain the quantities and/or trends observed in your plots and tables.
 Explain what the results mean.
 Comment on the measurement uncertainty if needed.
 Tell the significance of your results. Think about your objectives when discussing
results.

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Fig. 2 - A sample table.

Fig. 3 – A sample figure.

8) CONCLUSIONS: (10 points)


Give a brief review of your most important results and findings. These results will have
already been mentioned in your Results and Discussion section, but you should place the most
important results here again in an abbreviated form. Do not place graphs or tables in this
section. Also, a detailed explanation of your results does not belong here. This section should
only be one or two paragraphs long. A list of conclusions is also a way to write this section.

9) REFERENCES: (5 points)
References to sources for cited material should be listed together at the end of the report. List
text books, papers, reports and internet links that you cited. Use any format (APA, MLA,
Chicago, etc.) but be consistent throughout your reports.

The report should be well organized (Format (8 points)). The writing should be clear and
concise writing (5 points), with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation (2 points).

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