PHYS 2211L - Principles of Physics Laboratory I

Laboratory Report Format

1. This supplement provides the format for laboratory reports for PHYS 2211L, Principles of Physics Laboratory I. The laboratory report is designed to answer the following questions:

a. What did you try to find out?

b. How did you do it?

c. What results did you obtain?

d. What do the results mean?

2. To answer these questions, a five paragraph format will be used. These paragraphs are described below:

a. "1. Objective(s)": Provide a short statement of the objective(s) of the experiment.

b. "2. Theory": Describe the fundamental physics required to address your objective. If you are attempting to determine the value of some specific quantity, provide the mathematical relationship for that quantity in terms of the variables you will measure in the laboratory. Briefly address what data are to be taken and how they will be manipulated to yield a result. Any assumptions or simplifications should be stated.

c. "3. Apparatus and experimental procedures": Describe the equipment you use in the experiment. Provide a sketch of the experimental apparatus with parts labeled. Describe how the apparatus is used to measure the quantities described in the theory paragraph.

d. "4. Data": Present data and the resulting calculations made upon these data in tabular form. In this section you will place graphs of data relationships. Use an electronic spreadsheet to present all data and supporting calculations. Include units for measured quantities in the data table(s). Clearly label all rows and columns in your tables and include units.

e. "5. Results and Conclusions":

"a. Results": State the result(s) of your experiment. If the result is numerical, insure that you include the uncertainty in the quantity and units.

"b. Conclusions": Discuss the meaning of the results presented in paragraph 5a. Discuss sources of error in the experiment.

3. Graphing. Data should be displayed graphically.

a. Use a spreadsheet program or computer graphing program to produce your graphs. Data will be represented as points.

b. Do not connect data points with line segments. Use best fit curves to show the relationship between the quantities being graphed. If your graphing software does not have curve fitting capabilities, use a French curve to draw smooth curves by hand on your graphs.

c. Be sure to title your graphs and label their axes. Include units in your axes labels.

d. If you plot more than one dependent variable curve on the same graph, be sure you indicate which curve is which.

e. Indicate any key features on the graph itself.

4. Word processing.

a. With the exception of diagrams of experimental apparatus and graphs of data, all laboratory report parts will be typed (a spreadsheet will be used for paragraph 4). Use of a word processor is highly recommended. Graphs do not have to be integrated into text, but should be placed in the order they are introduced in the text.

b. Double space all material except that contained in spreadsheets.

5. Spelling, punctuation and grammar. The Clayton College & State University writing criteria must be considered in preparing your laboratory report. Papers with many or serious errors in spelling, punctuation or grammar will be returned for correction and resubmission.

6. Group and individual work. In most laboratories you will be working as part of a lab group. You are expected to collaborate freely and participate in the work of the group. You may discuss any aspect of the lab with other members of your lab group or of the lab section. You are encouraged to compare results with your lab partners and to discuss possible sources of error. However, the laboratory report is INDIVIDUAL work. You may not copy the work of any other person. You may not copy files, diagrams or text from any other person.

Last update: September 08, 1999