Writing-a-lab-report

Most articles in scientific journals (physics journals, at least) follow at least approximately a standard format, which looks something like this:

ABSTRACT

1. INTRODUCTION A. Motivation B. Summary of the experiment
2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
3. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND PROCEDURE A. Description of the apparatus B. Description of the experimental procedure
4. ANALYSIS A. Method of analysis B. Presentation of results C. Discussion of results D. (Optional) Suggestions for future improvements
5. CONCLUSIONS A. Summary of the results B. Pertinence of the results to the questions raised in the introduction

Abstract

• 3 - 6 sentences long
• the abstract always summarize the introduction and conclusion sections, including a summary of any qualitative results

Introduction

• motivation for experiment = what is the question that your experiment is supposed to answer, and why is answering this question interesting (and/or important)?
• brief summary of the experimental method used

Theory section

• provides enough mathematical or theoretical background to understand how the experiment works, what assumptions have been made, and how the experiment is related to the physics being studied

writing down equations

1. do not write equations in the body of the text (exception = the simplest ones that will not be needed later)
2. give every equation a number (same exception for #1)
3. try not to typeset equations with an equation order

Procedure section

• consider the reader to be someone who is inclined to be skeptical about your results and hence will be picky about your procedure
• a list and description of the equipment, stating the precision to which the measuring devices read
  • identify lab station by its number if it has one, large pieces of equipement should be identified by manufacturer’s name, model, and serial number
  • sketch of the apparatus
• consider the following questions as you write this section:
  1. How did you determine the experimental uncertainties that you chose?
  2. What (if anything) did you do to reduce them?
  3. Did you experience any difficulties with the apparatus? If so, how did you resolve them?
  4. Did you encounter any problems or difficulties in following the lab manual’s procedure? If so, how did you resolve them?
  5. Did you modify that procedure in any way, and, if so, how and why?

Conclusion

• in 1 - 2 paragraphs, review the purpose of the lab and summarize the implications of your experimental results

Checklist

theory section

• start with basic defining equations
• show all non-obvious intermediate algebraic steps
• clearly describe any assumptions and/or approximations involved in the model
• display each equation on its own line
• give each equation an equation number

procedure section

• Provide a sketch or schematic diagram of experimental setup
• Provide a textual list and/or descriptions of equipment (when needed for clarity) Describe all measurements, in roughly the order in which they were made
• Describe any departures from procedure described in the lab manual, if any
• Describe any steps taken to reduce experimental uncertainty (the last two descriptions should follow the description of the measurement in question)

analysis section

• Briefly describes the data
• Include a Cartesian (unlinearized) graph of data
• Includes linearized graphs of data, if appropriate
• Discusses consistency or lack thereof with any theoretical predictions
• Discusses how you calculated the slope and intercept of any linear graphs
• Shows the calculation any derived quantities from slope or intercept
• Completely discusses all uncertainties involved, showing sample calculations if needed
• Discusses the results and their implications