COLLEGE PREP PHYSICS

Lab Report Expectations

 All lab reports are to be done neatly, according to your instructor’s standards
 Unless instructed otherwise, all lab reports are to be typed on white 8.5x11 paper using Times New Roman or
Arial 12 point font.
 The individual sheets of the lab report should be neatly collated and stapled in the upper left hand corner. If
the report contains too many pages to be neatly stapled, the report shall be submitted in a folder or binder.
 The lab report should have the following heading at the upper left-hand side of the first page:
Name Example: Jane Doe
Period Period 2
Date September 3, 2010
 Make the section headings in bold font
 Use complete sentences in a paragraph form for each section and make the paragraphs flow in a
conversational manner.
 If the lab report is completed without following the required procedures, 25% of the total points may be
deducted from the grade.
 Late lab reports are not acceptable. Lab reports turned in after the due date may receive up to 50% credit up
to one week beyond the due date. After one week, no credit will be given for late work.
 Lab Report Sections
o Title
o Purpose (use complete sentences in paragraph form)
o Procedure
 Explain the procedure in complete sentences in paragraph form.
 List the equipment and the setup used in the lab.
 Do not list the step-by-step procedure from the lab instructions, but rather summarize the
information.
 If warranted, include a sketch of the set-up to help explain the procedure.
 Provide the scientific and mathematical background for the lab.
 Include equations to be used and any algebraic manipulations.
 Describe the data analysis to be done or graphs to be used.
 Explain and justify the expected results.
o Results
 If questions were listed in the lab instructions, answer all questions using complete sentences.
First type the question and then the answer.
 Describe what was expected and what actually was found.
 Discuss any problems you had with the experiment or reasons why your results might not be
accurate.
 Identify significant or unusual data values.
 If multiple trials were used, which ones worked? Which trials did not work? How do you
know? Justify all of your statements.
 Pick out specific examples from the data referring to items in the appendix by name.
o Conclusion
 Explain the conclusion in complete sentences in paragraph form.
 The opening sentence should be a restatement of the lab purpose, written in the past tense,
using the correct scientific vocabulary.
 Use 2 or 3 sentences to summarize the procedure.
 State the experimental result (What outcome did YOU get?)
 Compare the experimental result to the expected value or theoretical result (What outcome
SHOULD you have gotten?).
 Give a general summary of all lab trials and state whether the lab worked correctly overall.
 Describe the reasons for errors in the data and suggest improvements to the procedure.
o Appendix
 Include data tables, graphs, and sample calculations.
 Identify each item in the appendix with a title.
 Include the actual data sheet(s) used to initially record the lab data.