The Lab Report

Lab Report Format

Methods SHOULD NOT The procedure SHOULD NOT be a copy of the written procedure in the lab document. SHOULD It SHOULD be a summary of important steps, directions, materials and equipment.

Results - Data Data presented in tables (or observations in bullets) – Table given a title – Columns/rows labeled with quantity and dimensions – Units are included

Results IF calculations are needed during the lab…THEY MUST BE INCLUDED IN A SEPARATE SECTION OF THE RESULTS: Example: Calculations: density of water (D=M/V)mass of water= 2.5 g volume of water= 2.5 mL 2.5g/2.5mL = 1 g/mL

Analysis If questions are given,answer in complete sentences…(USE DATA TO SUPPORT YOUR RESPONSES TO Q’s) – If questions are NOT assigned, the analysis will be a discussion that includes the following: Explain patterns in data (cite data as “evidence” of the pattern) Use background information to help explain the importance of the data and how it supports the “claim”

Analysis Include “inferences” based on the background and data. – An inference is a “claim” that may not be obvious. – An inference is NOT the data, but can be “guessed” by examining the data.

Analysis - Graphs Titled Both axes labeled with quantity and dimension Appropriate scale used on both axes Graph accurately represents data and uses a best fitting curve when appropriate

Conclusion The conclusion is a short discussion explaining whether the data “supports” or “does NOT support” the hypothesis. – Do the results seem “reasonable” based on what you know from the background AND the data – Consider the number of trials (use class data NOT individual data) – Consider what you “expected” to happen

Five Essential Components Background Background – Define important concepts, theories or laws being examined. Question or purpose Question or purpose – What question are you trying to answer?...OR, what are you attempting to do in this experiment? Methods: Summary of Procedure Methods: Summary of Procedure – What methods did you use to complete this investigation? This should be a summary, not a detailed procedure like the one in the handout. Results Results – What happened? Summarize observations and results of calculations and graphs. CITE YOUR DATA HERE Analysis/Conclusion Analysis/Conclusion– What important concepts or theories are reinforced by your results? Explain the data as it relates to the concepts in the background. This will include answers to questions assigned…OR a discussion in paragraph form. (will often include graphs)

The Sweet Spot of a Baseball Bat Background: The sweet spot of a baseball bat, like that of a tennis racket, can be defined either in terms of a vibration node or a centre of percussion. In order to determine how each of the sweet spots influences the “feel” of the bat, measurements were made of the impact forces transmitted to the hands. Measurements of the bat velocity, and results for a freely suspended bat, were also obtained in order to assist in the interpretation of the force waveforms. The results show that both sweet spots contribute to the formation of a sweet spot zone where the impact forces on the hands are minimized. The free bat results are also of interest since they provided particularly elegant examples of wave excitation and propagation, suitable for a student demonstration or experiment. Rod Cross, Am. J. Phys. 66, 772 (1998)