|
Excel Tutorial Apparatus Pictures
spring
2D collision 2 |
Laboratory Report Outline
Formal Lab Report The formal lab report is due (before lab class) one week after the day the lab is completed. I prefer that the lab reports be typed with graphs and tables completed using the spreadsheet program Excel. Each formal lab report must consist of the following: [2 points] Title:
A title should go on the cover sheet of each formal lab write-up. Your name and your lab partner(s) name should also go on the coversheet.
Please do not cover the lab report with a plastic
binding cover. [3 points] Objective: You should write a sentence or two stating what you are trying to accomplish or prove in the lab. [10 points] Apparatus: You should not only list the apparatus, but draw a labeled diagram of all major instrumentation. [15 points] Theory: List and explain the formulas that you use in the lab. Be sure to explain in words what the formula symbols represent. If you have to derive a formula, show the derivation. [20 points] Data (Tables and Graphs):
This section should include all data collected during
the experiment. All data must be
organized in tables. Both tables
and graphs should be created using Excel. Do
not hand in raw data. Remember to
put titles on the graphs
and label all axes (include units).
Make sure the Data section includes % error and LINEST() calculations.
I want the tables and graphs to be on separate pages. [10 points] Error Analysis:
This section should include all error analysis for the lab.
State all random errors and
explain how the errors effect specific results. I do not want to see the phrase "Human
Error" anywhere in the lab. I
also want to see the percent error or percent difference
calculation in this section. You should show the numbers you use in a
percent error or percent difference calculation.
Explain the LINEST() (+/- in the slope and y-intercept from Microsoft
Excel) uncertainty calculations in this section. Do not put tables in this
section. [40 points] Conclusion: This is the most important part of the lab. You must include SPECIFIC results in this section. These results should be compared to the "expected" results (if known). State whether the results fall within an acceptable error range. You should include the most relevant information from the error analysis section. State how the specific errors effected the final results. Be precise. I do not want to see general statements about the lab. Explain how the specific objectives of the lab were accomplished. I recommend that the conclusion be at least 3 paragraphs long. The first paragraph should not only restate the objective, but specifically explain how the objective was met in a particular lab. You should assume that the person reading the conclusion has not examined any other component of the lab write-up. The second paragraph should state specific results obtained in the lab. Explain how you went about getting your results. These results should be compared to accepted values and the percent error or percent difference should be stated. All standard deviation and linear regression values should be explained in this section. The third paragraph should clarify how the major sources of error contributed to the percent error in the lab. Only talk about the major sources of error and explain how those error effected the results. If the major sources of error are not enough, see if you can find any hidden systematic errors to explain the results. The student will perform independently on all written laboratory reports.Points will be taken off of late laboratory reports. A laboratory report turned in one week late will count 60% of the original grade. All labs must be turned in no later than the last day of class. Make-up labs will be given at the instructor’s discretion. *A lab report (or sections of a lab report) that is unacceptable may require a rewrite.
|
