PHYSICS
Platte Canyon High
School
Bailey, Colorado
LAB REPORTS
Labs are to be written up in the following format in your notebooks.
Some recommendations:
They may be typed or hand written although if it cannot be read by me, I will return it for a redo.
Do not crowd your work. This is your work – be proud of it. If it takes another sheet of paper, so be it.
Write on one side of the page only. It will look neater and will be easier to read.
TITLE
A name for the lab. This should begin each report. The author's name and the names of co-workers come next followed by the date on which the experiment was performed and the date the report is submitted.
2 pts.
PURPOSE
OBJECTIVE
PROBLEM
Why are you doing this lab?
What is its purpose?
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
3 pts.
PROCEDURE
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
This briefly and clearly describes both the experimental apparatus and how it was used. You should explain how this particular apparatus provides a test of the principles or questions being examined. You should also include a schematic sketch of the equipment and its arrangement.
What are you going to do, need to have, to prove if your hypothesis is correct? How did you go about solving the problem? This needs to be detailed enough so that someone else could repeat your experiment/lab from your description.
6 pts.
OBSERVATIONS
DATA
ANALYSIS
This is the heart of the report. Here you describe how derived quantities were calculated from the raw data. You should explain carefully and concisely the steps involved in manipulating the data. You should include appropriate analysis of any uncertainties. Include any tables and figures that are necessary to explain your experiment.
8 pts.
CONCLUSION
This is where you summarize the results of the lab.
Items to be addressed here:
a. numerical results
b. compare results with purpose
c. possible sources of error - how could they be eliminated or reduced in a future lab.
d. what did you learn.
11 pts.
TOTAL
30 pts.
Physics Lab Rubric
Title, Names, Date, and
Co-Workers
(2 points)
2 Title, Names, Date, and Co-Workers are listed
1 Only 3 out of 4 of the above information is listed
0 Only 1 or 2 items or no items are listed
Purpose/Objective
(3 points)
3 Clearly and precisely states the purpose/objective of the lab
2 States the purpose/objective of the lab with some inconsistencies/inaccuracies
1 The purpose/objective stated does not reflect what this lab is about
0 Does not state the purpose/objective of the lab
Procedure/Experimental Design (6 points)
6 The experimental design matches the stated purpose/objective. Variables are controlled. The procedures are clear, complete and replicable. A control is included when appropriate.
4 The experimental design generally matches the stated purpose/objective. Attempt at controlling variables is made. Procedures are generally complete. Major modifications or clarifications may be needed.
2 The experimental design matches the stated purpose/objective to some extent. Little attempt to control variables. Procedures are incomplete. Major modifications or clarifications may be needed.
0 The experimental design does not match the stated purpose/objective, is very incomplete, or missing. There is no attempt to control variables.
Observations/Data Analysis
(8
points)
8 Data are well organized and presented in an appropriate manner. Data/presentation is above and beyond.
6 Data are well organized and presented in an appropriate manner.
4 Data are organized in an appropriate manner; minor errors or omissions may be present.
2 Data are poorly organized and presented in an inappropriate manner; major omissions or errors may be present.
0 Data are very poorly organized or presented in an appropriate manner or missing altogether.
Conclusion
(11 points)
11 Conclusions are related to the stated problem and supported by data
9 Conclusions are generally related to the stated problem and supported by data; minor errors may be present.
6 Conclusions are related to the stated problem and supported by data to a limited extent. Minor errors may be present.
3 Conclusions are related to the stated problem and supported by data to a very limited extent. Major errors may be present.
0 Conclusions are not related to the stated problem, not supported by data or are missing.