Lab #: Lab Title (from the lab handout)

Author: Your Full Name Date Performed: Month, Day, Year Class: PHYS ### Section: ##### Group Members: Full Name of Member 1 Full Name of Member 2 Full Name of Member 3 Full Name of Member 4

Abstract The abstract is one paragraph describing the ultimate purpose, methods used, and results of the lab work. From the abstract, the reader should be able to understand what the lab is intended to measure, what significant measurements were taken, and what summary results (including numbers) were obtained. It is not a detailed description, but a terse overview. Essentially you are to sum up the whole lab in one paragraph in this section. The abstract is not about anticipated activities, but an account of the experiments after they have been conducted.

Theory This section of the report provides the theoretical context of the lab. Include theory that is relevant to the understanding of the lab experiments and the interpretation of the data. This section should look like a short encyclopedia entry on the topic of the lab and should include all the relevant equations (properly formatted). Use the textbook and other references to learn about the theory needed for the interpretation of your experimental results. Do not copy from the references or the handout; write in your own words instead. Do not provide a list of procedures that you followed and do not mention the results of the lab work or show calculations in this section. This is also not the place to include your thoughts about the lab or the results you obtained.

Measurements and Observations This section includes a thorough description of the experimental setup(s), procedures followed, and the raw data (quantitative and qualitative) obtained from measurement and observation. Diagrams/snapshots of the experimental setup(s) should be included here. Do not include too many diagrams/snapshots; be judicious in your choices. Numerical data should be presented in tabular form when appropriate. Tables should not be broken over multiple pages.

Data Analysis and Discussion All calculations related to the data and conclusions drawn from it should be outlined here, including calculations of percentage errors. For similar calculations, only include sample calculations. When appropriate or requested in the lab handout, include graphs of the data in this section. For all graphs, make sure you include titles, labeled axes with units, and the equations of curve-fits if they are used.

2/2

In addition to the quantitative conclusions, also include a discussion regarding the nature and the significance of the results obtained. What were your fundamental conclusions from the lab experiment(s)? Were there any surprises or were the results as expected from theory? If the lab did not work out as it seems it should have, this is the place to discuss it. Why do you think it did not work out? What were the causes? How might you avoid the same problems in the future? When addres