Introduction

Lab report

The lab report is an effective way of communicating empirical results. There is little point in doing a successful experiment if you cannot effectively communicate your findings to others. The lab report serves several purposes and gives an organized framework for recording your procedures and results. Although some students may have encountered laboratory reports before and may feel that there is a standard format for them, this is not entirely true. However, make sure to include the following sections

1. Cover Page -- This is the first page of the report, which should include:
   • PHYS 205 - Lab Manual version 1.0
   • experiment's title
   • your name and student ID
   • tutor's name
   • date
2. Theory -- Here, provide the relevant theoretical background including all formulas needed for the analysis. Make sure you define the different quantities and symbols that you have used in your report.
3. Procedure -- In this section, explain your steps in performing the experiment. Use your own words to provide enough detail so that the reader could reproduce your procedure.
4. Pictures -- Include clear and sufficient pictures of your setup, taken at different stages of your procedure.
5. Collected data -- Organize and present raw data collected in the experiment. For large quantities of data generated by automatic collection, a one-page sample should be sufficient. No calculations or analysis should be included in this section of the report.
6. Analysis and discussion -- This is a very important section of your lab report. You are expected to give clear and detailed analysis of your data, as described in the manual. Make sure to include sample calculations, especially for new calculated columns in data tables. You may need to produce graphs and perform appropriate fits using the Logger Pro software. Errors in the observations may have a bearing on your analysis, so you should discuss their role here.
7. Questions -- At the end of the lab, you may find a question related to the experiment. Provide a detailed answer (or solution) to this question.
8. Conclusion -- Present a brief summary of your findings in the experiment, including the final numerical results.
9. References and Citations -- This section should include a complete list of all the sources (books, journal articles, websites, and so on) used in preparing the lab report. In addition, you are expected to cite any information taken from external sources. You do not need to cite this Lab Manual, but it must be listed as a reference. Failing to credit the source of your information could be considered an act of plagiarism.

In marking the lab report, each of the nine sections above carries a specific weight, as shown in the table below. Note the small differences in this regard between the first four experiments and the last two.