Lab Report How To

Lab Reports

Organization – Title Page,  Results , Calculations, and

Discussion/Conclusion, References, Format

Double spaced, 11-12 point font No personal pronouns – no “I”, “we” “she” “he” Values and equations should be properly

superscript or subscript IE C2O4 should be written as C2O4

Title (Cover Page)

Title header (clear and large), name, the date, class section, lab partners, and lab TA

Results

Usually will have Raw Data Table (will be on pbworks, the

numbers you will be analyzing) Calculated Data Table: Your data you calculated

via excel for each class member Figures: Usually graph or histogram form

Data Tables

Titled Have clear, labeled columns, with units and

proper sig figsFigure 1: Part A Results for Calcium Iodate Without Calcium

Ion

V of Thio sul Used (L)

Mol Thio Used (mol)

Mol Iodate (mol)

Equi Conc Iodate Ion (M)

Equi Conc of Calcium Ion (M)

M Sol of Cal Iodate (M)

Ksp Cal Iodate

% Error Ksp

Ka Values

T1 0.0082 3.69E-04

6.15E-05 4.66E-03 2.33E-03

2.33E-03

5.06E-08 4.33

4.20E-06

T2 0.0085 3.A83E-04

6.38E-05 4.73E-03 2.36E-03

2.36E-03

5.29E-08

4.54E-06

Graphs – titled, clear axis

Graph 1: ln(Ksp) versus 1/Temperture

0.00316 0.00318 0.00320 0.00322 0.00324 0.00326 0.00328 0.00330

-8.00

-7.00

-6.00

-5.00

-4.00

-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

f(x) = − 25360.43860293 x + 77.2159076736532R² = 0.308604288954857

Natural Log Ksp versus 1/T

1/T (1/K)

Ln

(Ks

p)

Graph 2 -- Histogram

8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 More0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Class Histogram of Experimental Weight %

Average Experimental Weight Percent

Fre

qu

ency

(# o

f g

rou

ps)

Calculations

Calculations: may be handwritten in blue/black pen or typed

Proper sig figs Show example calculation just for individual

values grams of CO2=20 g CO2 x (1 mol/44 g CO2 ) = 0.45 mol

CO2

Discussion/Conclusion

1 page double spaced Keep it short, concise, to the point Highlight specific trends that strongly

supports your analysis Clearly state your quantitative data that you

are observing.

What to consider in your lab report

Compare expected results with those obtained.   Analyze experimental error

precision and accuracy and how errors affected your results Relate results to your experimental objective(s) and theories.  

how significantly did one aspect of your experiment affect your results, and why?

Compare your results to similar investigations.   Compare between class data or other sources

Analyze the strengths and limitations of your experimental design.   What can be improved to reflect the theoretical background?

Reference

Keep a consistent and clear format, usually MLA is best

Always will have reference – cite your blue manual and lab handouts and other sources used.