Physics - Lab Reports  

Title      5 pts

To the point description or idea of what was tested. It should be grammatically and conceptually correct.

Abstract           10 pts

Brief summary of the intent and results of the experiment...In politics it is known as a brief…in business an executive summary

Background      5 pts

Historical reference or current situation that provides a basis for the experiment…For example: “The Greeks believed the mass of an object was directly related to the time it took to hit the ground. Galileo disputed this.”

Purpose            10 pts

Outline the problem or task that is to be addressed. Expand the title in sentence/paragraph form.

Hypothesis       10 pts

Your ideas from start to finish. This is what the scientific process is all about! What were your lab team’s expectations and expected results? Most often phrased using an “If…Then” statement

Material List and Process          10 pts

Reliable experiments should be repeatable and have the same results. First a material list needs to be provided…What was used!

To be sure the data is reliable, a clear set of directions are needed that are to the point and in order! The “How” it was done!

Drawings          5 pts

Set-up or other visuals to clarify the process

Data & Graphs 10 pts

Quantitative (numbers & facts) and qualitative (observations that can’t be physically measured) data in clear and concise form…Tables and graphs recommended…Make sure that graphs visually demonstrate what happened…Include formulas and calculations

Error Analysis               15 pts

What factors impacted the degree of accuracy of the findings negatively or positively

Conclusion       20 pts

Restate purpose… Was the hypothesis proven …What did the experiment or lab show…patterns…Why…What impacted the results…Potential error (Don’t skimp here!) What was learned? What is the next step?