Pedersen

Class IV Physics

Lab Report Guidelines

1 Names (2 points)
Easiest two points at Milton. Please also note the name of anyone who reviewed your work
if appropriate (ie, a peer tutor, et cetera). Make sure that you distinguish yourself as the
author.

2 Title (3 points)
IV and DV named (or goal if there was no IV and DV) as well as some mention of the specific
context in which they were studied.

3 Section: Introduction (6 points)

Hook: excite the reader about the topic of research
Background research
You should cite more than one valid source
Acceptable sources: NASA and any university site (look for .edu and .gov sites).
Unacceptable sources: wikipedia, etc.
Relate the research to your own experiment
Explain how the background research helps shape your hypothesis.
If available, include an equation relating your IV and DV. This will serve as the basis for
your interpretation section of the discussion.
Your hypothesis must qualitatively say how the DV changes as the IV increases. Do not
not simply say that it increases or decreases; you need more detail.

4 Section: Procedure
4.1 Equipment Diagram (6 points)
Draw a neat and detailed diagram of your experimental setup, carefully labelling each
essential piece of equipment.
The sketch should not
be a rough sketch
include diagonal labeling
be a copy of your partners

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 be copied and pasted from the internet.
The sketch should
be neatly drawn (using a ruler where necessary) or created on a computed
include dimensions (important distances, etc)
be a snapshot of the experiment in action (not just the materials)

4.2 Experimental Method (6 points)

Explain any important details about set up.
Give specific directions for how to measure the IV and the DV. This should include how
you found your uncertainties
Use past tense and the active voice (1st person plural)
A bulleted list is fine

4.3 Controlled Variables (3 points)

Name the variables that remained the same and how you made certain they stayed the
same.
Identify at least three variables that you kept constant for @ trials.
Be careful when saying that you kept parts of the environment the same. For instance,
you cannot actually control temperature and pressure in the lab.
Make sure that the controlled variables you list actually could impact your results if you
change them. Recall the hight at which you dropped the coffee filters. This is not and
example of a controlled variable.

5 Section: Results
5.1 Qualitative Observations (6 points)
Write what you saw.
Include the general essence of your interpretations.
Name possible sources of uncertainty, but stay general here.
Include unexpected events and any alterations you made to your method along the way.
Include a general relationship between the IV and DV, as you observed it.

5.2 Tables (8 points)

Original (raw ) data on the left side of the table.
Add further results on the right side of the table with clear labels and units.
Remember to report any calculated values of uncertainty (ie, average, AAD) in the table

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5.3 Sample Calculations (4 points)
Include one of each type of calculation showing exactly what you did to change your raw
data into results.
This could is most easily done by explicitly writing out the calculations for an entire
line of data in your table.
When you write out a calculation, make certain that you first write out the general
expression, then include the the numbers. For instance,

F~tot m~a
m
F~tot p47.0 kgq 2.11 2
s
kg m
F~tot 99.2
s2

5.4 Graphs (8 points)

Each graph must have
a complete title
axis labels complete with units
hand-drawn best fit curve
points correctly plotted
uncertainty bars for both variables, if appropriate.
Include a caption explaining the graph. Images and captions should be able to stand alone
in a paper.

6 Section: Discussion
6.1 Interpretations (10 points)
Explain your graphs by referencing your background research and any equations that may
explain the behavior
Note any other possible interpretations.
Explain why you got this result.

6.2 Uncertainty (6 points)

Explain the sources of uncertainty for both the IV and the DV and your method to obtain
them
Explain any trends in the uncertainties, and identify possible physical explanations.
Do not talk about your control variables
No human error

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 Mention any error that was systematic and not captured by your method of estimation

6.3 Suggestions for Improvement (4 points)

Propose specific physical changes to your procedure, based on your experience carrying
out the experiment. These must be reasonable for a class IV student. No robots.
Do not say do more trials or try harder to preform the original procedure.

7 Section: Conclusion (4 points)

At most, three sentences that state the relationship between your variables and how it
compares to your hypothesis. The conclusion should state the major finding(s) of the lab.
Be sure to reference how the theory relates to your physical measurements.

The following are not physical parts of the lab report that you will turn in, but
they are representative of your overall effort and are part of your final grade.

8 Experimental Design (8 points)

Reasonable IV, DV, question, number of data points, data range and distribution, and
appropriate number of replica tests.

9 Respect for Laboratory Space (6 points)

Did you treat your equipment with care? Did you leave your lab space cleaner than when
you found it? Did you put you equipment away where it belongs and respect each others
lab space?

10 Attitude and Presentation (5 points)

Respect for the process of collecting data, and personal investment in the lab report writ-
ing process, along with your attention to detail in the report itself (stapling, organization,
grammar, spelling, spacing, fonts, et cetera).

11 Execution (5 points)
Execution is a grade evaluating your success in carrying out the experiment, as reflected in
the quality of your data (accuracy and uncertainty).