1. HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK COMPREHENSIVE LAYOUT OF YOUR NOTEBOOK

2. INTRODUCTION Out in the real world, a lab notebook is the same as a legal document. Here in chemistry class, we are going to treat it as being equally important. To assist, I am giving you a template for the layout which I will expect to be followed for EVERY lab. Please see me if you have any questions regarding any steps or any part of the layout.

3. FRONT COVER While the exact layout of your cover may differ, there are certain things that absolutely should be on the cover, including: 1. Full Name 2. Class Block

4. PAGE NUMBERING When numbering pages in your notebook, you will ONLY place a number in the upper right corner of the RIGHT HAND PAGE. The back side of a page is reserved for other things as a lab is performed. 1 Leave this side blank.

5. PAGE 1: THE INDEX The very first page when you open your book will be page one. This will be your index page where you will list experiments as they are performed. The entries for your index page should look like this: Date performed Experiment name Pages used during the lab Index1 Oct. 10: Candy Coating Lab pgs. 2-5

6. THE LAB NOTEBOOK LABORATORY INFORMATION Under normal circumstances, the lab that is handed out contains more information than is needed to actually perform the lab. Here, I am going to list the specific sections that ABSOLUTELY must be in your lab notebook, both for your safety, and so that you can perform the lab properly

7. SECTIONS TO INCLUDE As you read through the lab, the following sections absolutely MUST be in your notebook: Title Purpose/Objective Materials Procedure Data Table Conclusion Title Purpose/Objective 2 Procedure Materials Conclusion Data Table

8. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE This is included in order to remind you of what you should get out of doing the lab, whether it be learning a new lab technique, or analyzing data. While you can copy this from the page, try to put it into your own words to make sure you understand what you are going to do.

9. MATERIALS An absolute MUST to perform the lab. In the beginning, I will have most of the equipment ready for you, however, as time progresses, you will be expected to gather the necessary items yourself in order to perform the lab.

10. THE PROCEDURE Probably the most important section of all is the procedure. These are the steps you will be taking during the course of the experiment. As you transfer these into your notebook, they should be clear, concise, and easy to follow. The entire purpose of the procedure is not only for *you* to follow it, but that someone else could take your notebook and use the procedure to recreate your experiment.

11. DATA TABLE Sometimes this will be in the lab, other times you will have to create your own. It is vital that you have an ORGANIZED place to record the data that you gain from the experiment. REMEMBER! Record ALL of the digits that the piece of equipment gives you. These numbers are SIGNIFICANT in that they show the ACCURACY of the data. Also make sure to include your UNITS so you know which piece of equipment the number came from

12. CONCLUSION This final section is where you sum up your results from the experiment. This is also where you can explain if something went wrong (otherwise known as a Source of Error)