PREPARATION OF LABORATORY REPORTS

TYPED or computer generated. Lab reports are due at the beginning of the next week’s lab session. For Group Reports (took part in lab and writing report)- will receive the same grade for that report. –Option of preparing individual lab reports – In either case each individual must keep a copy of the lab report in their portfolio. Based on the experimental data gathered, and observations made during your lab experiment.

If an error is made:, it will be –reflected in the data/observation area –recognized and EXPLAINED. FORMAL papers Written in the THIRD PERSON. –"It is surmised", "One would conclude", etc.

LAB REPORT FORMAT LAB REPORT FORMAT

Title Page The title of the lab is to be centered on the paper. In the lower right-hand corner of the paper. alphabetical order –Name's) in alphabetical order –Date –Period

Hypothesis contains your HYPOTHESIS –what the results of the experiment will show –what you will be able to do by the end of the lab. EXAMPLE: It is speculated that increasing the concentration of and acid in and aqueous solution will cause the pH to rise. correctness of the hypothesis is not as important, as your ability to –determine the correct/incorrectness of your hypothesis after the experiment has been completed, and –explain WHY your hypothesis was correct / incorrect.

. Introduction General background information a person reading the lab would need to know in order to understand the rest of the report –Scientific THEORY on topic's) related to the experiment –Math equations used are written and explained. –Terms are defined

Introduction Examples In this experiment varying methods which effect the rate of solution are studied to determine which increases the rate the most. Density, a measure of the concentration of a material, is determined by dividing the mass of the substance by the space (volume) that it occupies. (D = m/V) Stoichiometry is the mathematical study of the quantities that enter and are produced by chemical reactions.

. Materials Listed in formal reports. Only changes from that given in the experiment need be noted. “As stated in (Name of Lab)” –Exceptions: Dish washing liquid replaces glycerin Strontium chloride replaces sodium chloride

. Procedure Paraphrased in formal lab reports Only changes from that given in the experiment need be noted. “As stated in (Name of Lab)” –Exceptions: Step 5 omitted in Part 3 Three trials conducted instead of 5

Observations/Discussion Paragraph form Describe all that you see, hear, smell and feel Specific amounts of reactants and lab procedures are NOT included cm 32.0 sec

Observations/Discussion Example –Platinum wire was treated with several different compounds, and then exposed to flame. The compounds turned red, green and yellow when the wire entered the fire –Pretend that you are a radio announcer and must describe the changes that you observe. –NO NUMBERS, please

Data Tables Graphs All tables / figures / graphs are given TITLES –indicate what the graphic is showing –Remember a graph T.A.L.K.S.

Data Examples Size-fraction distribution of Naron soil Analytical Data on Edible Oils in Study (nm)

Calculations/Equations All math computations –Includes addition and subtraction –Samples of each type Balanced chemical equations BLUE Black Due to the extensive use of symbols, this section may be NEATLY printed in BLUE or Black ink.

Calculations/Equations Examples HCl Produced: Percent Yield of Aluminum Oxide

Conclusion Make a claim regarding your hypothesis. Provide evidence for our claim. Provide reasoning that links the evidence to your claim. Relate Relate to life. Prove Proved Disproved

Conclusion Example (The CLAIM) The abstract “The masses before and after the chemical reaction will be equal.” was

Conclusion Example (The EVIDENCE) As can be seen in data table 1, the combined masses of the reactants and the combined masses of the products are reasonably the same g v g.

Conclusion Example (The REASONING) According to the Law of Conservation of Mass no amount of matter can be gained or lost. This requires the masses of the reactants and the products to be equal. The slight discrepancy of the reactant and product masses may be due to inefficient methods of material transfer within the experiment; specifically a small amount of solid was unable to be retrieved from the beaker during the filtration process… According to the Law of Conservation of Mass no amount of matter can be gained or lost. This requires the masses of the reactants and the products to be equal. The slight discrepancy of the reactant and product masses may be due to inefficient methods of material transfer within the experiment; specifically a small amount of solid was unable to be retrieved from the beaker during the filtration process…

Conclusion Example Relationships) (Relationships) It is the goal of any industrial process to recover as near to 100% of the product. This is desired for financial as well as industrial success. Equipment must be fitted to contain all of the product w/o being too large and costly. Methods of production and transfer are designed to minimize loss of product which are then balanced against profit margins. It is the goal of any industrial process to recover as near to 100% of the product. This is desired for financial as well as industrial success. Equipment must be fitted to contain all of the product w/o being too large and costly. Methods of production and transfer are designed to minimize loss of product which are then balanced against profit margins.