General Lab Report Format

IMPORTANT:  Complete as much as possible before coming to the lab.

I. TITLE OF EXPERIMENT
  • Name and ID Number
  • Lab Partner Name and ID Number
  • Lab Section
  • Lab TA
II. THEORY OR PURPOSE
Write a brief paragraph summarizing in your own words the objectives of the experiment. Include principles of physics, theory, and concepts being investigated. You should complete this part before coming to your lab section.
III. TECHNIQUE AND APPARATUS
Write a brief paragraph describing the apparatus and the specific technique being used to perform the experiment. Complete most of this part before coming to your lab session and then add any further information after you have seen the apparatus and have gone through the technique.
IV. DATA ANALYSIS
Prepare the basic equations and any tables that you will need to perform the calculations required to analyze your data and errors. In order to have time to complete your lab report in class, be sure to have this part well organized before coming to your lab session. Your final answers should be clearly tabulated in your report. If you use the data summary sheet from the lab writeup, trim and tape it into your notebook.
V. CONCLUSIONS
Write a brief paragraph summarizing the results and conclusions derived from your data. Be sure that your conclusions are supported by your data. By necessity, this part will have to be written after you have acquired and analyzed your data, however, you should think about the possible conclusions beforehand.
VI. QUESTIONS
Answer the questions listed in the lab write-up.