Information about P221/P222 Laboratory Exercises.

Format(s) of Lab Reports

Every lab report should include the following:

•  a) Raw data, signed by the instructor before you leave (no Xeroxes please);
•  b) Lab partners names (no more than three to a group, total!);
•  c) An analysis of your results following the form shown in Appendix A if you are reporting graphical data (using Graphical Analysis).
•  d) An analysis of your results following the form shown in Appendix B if you are reporting constant data.
•  e) On a separate piece of paper answer all the questions in the lab using complete sentences please!

Each week you will turn in a report of the previous week's experiment. You will turn in one of two styles of lab reports as specified in the particular experiment:

1) For an informal lab report:

•  a) Turn in one set of results and/or answers for each group. Be sure everyone in your group agrees on the answers you write down.
•  c) Include everything in the list above.

2) For a formal lab report:

•  a) Each student turns in their own report. (One report per student.)
•  b) Include everything in first list above.
•  c) Include a description of the apparatus and procedure and an indication of the purpose of the experiment in your own words. This should be brief (outline form) but complete enough that someone else (for example another student) could use your report to duplicate the experiment. Diagrams are often helpful;
•  d) Write a conclusion in your own words including: what you learned, sources of error, determination of which errors cause the greatest problems, ways to improve the experiment, explanation of whether your results support or do not support what you were trying to prove.

Policies

 
•  a) Attendance is required. Special arrangements may be made under exceptional circumstances, but this will usually result in points being taken off.
•  b) You may finish the lab write-ups at home, HOWEVER; any raw data will be examined and signed by the instructor before you leave. The raw data is not to be recopied, Xeroxed or modified but must be turned in as is with the lab report. This policy is intended to get you into the habit of making a neat record of your results as you go along and will help you avoid the problem of scribbling down numbers which you later cannot read or understand.
•  c) Lab reports must be turned in on time for full credit, points will be deducted for lateness.
•  d) NOTE: Many labs will be done in advance of when you cover the material in class. This is intentional; please read ahead in the textbook when necessary. You are responsible for locating the appropriate reading material in the text so that you understand what the lab is about before you come to lab.

Points will be lost for lateness and excessive sloppiness.