The formal reports in this course are designed to illustrate the concepts and results of the experiment in an orderly fashion. Each report will consist of a title page, an abstract, raw data sheet(s), sample calculations (if any), tabulated results, and discussion. Each report will be graded on a 100 point basis: 5 points for meeting the Requirements (all sections present and in proper order), 10 points for Clarity (report is easily read and the sample calculations are in logical order), 10 points for Abstract quality, 10 points for completeness of Raw Data sheet(s), 15 points for Calculations (a sample of each type of calculation is shown in un-substituted and substituted form with each variable defined), 10 points for Tabulated Results (results of calculations arranged in logical tables and graphical results properly labeled), 30 points for Discussion (should include: (1) a discussion of the equipment used (2) a discussion of the experimental procedure and (3) a discussion of the conclusions and possible sources of error), and 10 points for Overall report quality.

Contents of Report

Title Page:

The title of the experiment should be centered on the page (half way across and half way down). In the lower right hand corner should be the experimenter's name, underlined, partner's name (if any), and date that the experiment was performed.

Abstract:

The abstract should always appear as the second page of the report and contain a brief description of the purpose of the experiment. The word Abstract should appear centered, above the abstract narrative. The Abstract should be a complete description of the experiment.

Raw Data:

Beginning with the third page, the raw data as collected in the lab should appear. This page(s) will be either original(s), carbon copy(ies), or photocopy(ies) of the data as taken in the lab. The data will be neatly recorded on plain white paper. Any instrument printouts or spectra should also appear here. This data should be arranged logically and neatly. The data sheet must be signed by each experimenter and the instructor, and be dated. Where areas of the page are not used, they should be coded, initialed, and dated before signing. Unsigned data sheets will not be accepted. This section may contain more than one page.

Sample Calculations:

This section of one or more pages appears directly behind the raw data section. Sample Calculations should appear centered at the top of each page of this section, with Sample Calculations Continued on the second and subsequent pages of the section. This section contains an example of each equation used with each variable defined. Following the equation and its defined variables should be an example of data plugged into the equation for the variables and a proper answer to the correct number of significant figures and with the proper units. If no calculations are applicable for a given experiment, a page labeled SAMPLE CALCULATIONS, NONE APPLICABLE should appear in the report at this location.

Tabulated Results:

In this section should appear, the results of all the sample calculations, arranged in tabulated form. Tabulated Results should appear centered at the top of each page of this section, with Tabulated Results Continued on the second and subsequent pages of the section. In addition to the calculated results, where applicable, computer outputs should be placed in this section. All graphs derived from the raw data should appear here. Graphs should be created on a computer using either spreadsheet or graphics software. These graphs should be properly labeled with the variables and their correct units.

Discussion:

The last section of the report is one of the most important in that it contains: (1) a discussion of the equipment used (2) a discussion of the experimental procedure and (3) a discussion of the conclusions which you drew about the experiment and possible sources of error. This section should have the heading Discussion located at the center of the first page of the section. Subsequent pages of this section should not be labeled.

A sub-section entitled Equipment should begin this section. This sub-section should list the equipment used, including the manfacturer and model number. Any assessories used should be listed with their manufacturer and model number, where available.

The second sub-section entitled Experimental Procedure should briefly describe how the experiment was performed.

The last sub-section entitled Conclusions should include a discussion of the conclusions which you drew from performing the experiment. It should also include a discussion of the errors that exist in the experiment which result from either the design of the experiment and the equipment as well as that of the experimenter's technique.

The reports will be graded on clarity and organization as well as neatness. Therefore, they should be typed using a word processor

The reports are due at the beginning of the next laboratory period after the experiment is completed. Five points will be subtracted for each day late.