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Physics Lab Report Format Sample

The document provides guidelines for writing an effective lab report, including: 1. The lab report should demonstrate understanding of concepts behind the data rather than just presenting results. It must identify differences from expected results and how they affected the experiment. 2. The required sections of the report are introduction, experimental procedure, experimental data, analysis, and conclusion. Appendices may also be included. 3. The introduction should state what the experiment was intended to accomplish or answer. The procedure, data, analysis, and conclusion sections provide further details on methods, results, interpretations, and conclusions.

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marthabervelly
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67 views

Physics Lab Report Format Sample

The document provides guidelines for writing an effective lab report, including: 1. The lab report should demonstrate understanding of concepts behind the data rather than just presenting results. It must identify differences from expected results and how they affected the experiment. 2. The required sections of the report are introduction, experimental procedure, experimental data, analysis, and conclusion. Appendices may also be included. 3. The introduction should state what the experiment was intended to accomplish or answer. The procedure, data, analysis, and conclusion sections provide further details on methods, results, interpretations, and conclusions.

Uploaded by

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

A good lab report does more than present data; it demonstrates the writer's comprehension of the
concepts behind the data. Merely recording the expected and observed results is not sufficient; you
should also identify how and why differences occurred, explain how they affected your experiment,
and show your understanding of the principles the experiment was designed to examine. Bear in
mind that a format, however helpful, cannot replace clear thinking and organized writing. You still
need to organize your ideas carefully and express them coherently.

Your final report must include the following sections (the point awarded for each section are listed
in square brackets next to the section name):

1. Introduction [5]

State in your own words what the experiment was supposed to accomplish and/or what
questions it was supposed to answer.

2. Experimental Procedure [10]

In your own words describe what you did. Your procedure must be clear (i.e., a person who has
not done the lab must be able to understand and follow it). When appropriate, please include a
clearly labelled diagram. The written procedure must demonstrate that you understand how the
experimental data was collected. The procedure must be written in the impersonal (3rd
person) past tense.
e.g., We are taking the temperature every 2 minutes. X
The temperature was taken every 2 minutes. √

3. Experimental Data [15]

Provide your data, sample calculations for each piece of calculated data and results in this
section. Write a short paragraph which demonstrates your understanding what happened in your
experiment. This will probably be a qualitative statement (but not always).

4. Analysis [15]

Include the analysis of the collected data. When using graphical analysis provide all graphs.
When calculating results, list sample calculations for all calculated values. In your own words
explain the reasoning behind your method for obtaining/calculating results. In most labs,
analysis section includes several questions that need to be answered. Provide complete answers
to each of the questions in the lab.
Describe limitations of equipment and/or procedure which affected the precision of your
results. When actual values of data are known, include the percent error in your report. Discuss
how results can be improved. Note: reports that use the phrase “human error” will be returned
un-graded. Please be specific in your statements.

5. Conclusion [10]

Answer the following questions: How well did the lab fulfil its purpose? Why? or why not?

6. Appendices [5 pts]

Any additional paperwork (drawings, diagrams, raw data sheets, striker tapes, etc.) produced
during the lab must be included with the final lab report.

Important Reminders for a Lab Report

1. Spelling
2. Significant figures and units regarding measurements and calculations
3. Avoid personal pronouns.
4. Headings should stand out and each section should be separated by 1 line.
5. Neatness counts -> use rulers when needed (especially when using tables and graphs), type
if possible

NOTE: Do not copy verbatim (word for word) from the lab handout or any other source.
This is plagiarism and would result in a zero mark and possible further consequences.
Name _______________________________________________ Due Date ___________

Lab ____________________________________________________________________

Lab Report Scoring Rubric

Main objective of the lab is clearly stated


3 2 1 0
I. Introduction (5 pts) (3 pts)
Introduction is clear and concise (2 pts) 2 1 0
Procedure clearly describes the
II. Experimental Procedure 5 4 3 2 1 0
(10 pts) experiment performed (5 pts)
include if applicable Written procedure is easy to understand 5 4 3 2 1 0
and follow (5 pts)
All collected data is included (5 pts) 5 4 3 2 1 0
III. Experimental Data (15 Data is presented in an appropriate 5 4 3 2 1 0
pts) format (5 pts)
Correct units and significant figures are 5 4 3 2 1 0
included with the data (5 pts)
Necessary calculations are performed and 3 2 1 0
included in the report (3 pts)
Relationships between collected data are
clearly stated (3 pts) 3 2 1 0
IV. Analysis (15 pts)
Graphs and charts are correctly scaled 4 3 2 1 0
and labelled (4 pts)
Discussion of errors addresses sources 5 4 3 2 1 0
and types of errors (5 pts)
Short description of how results were
obtained and calculated (5 pts) 5 4 3 2 1 0
V. Conclusion (10 pts) Conclusion is clearly stated and its
relationship to the objectives of the lab is 5 4 3 2 1 0
evident (5 pts)
All supplementary materials (including
VI. Appendices (5 pts) original data sheets, diagrams, drawings, 5 4 3 2 1 0
include if applicable etc.) are included with the final report (5
pts)

Total __________ /60

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