**Chemistry 11**
**Ms. Kuiper**
**Name:**
**Block:**
**LABORATORY REPORT FORMAT**
Lab reports should follow this structure. Typed reports are not required but are appreciated. Normally, lab reports have a cover sheet, but in the interests of saving trees, a cover sheet is not necessary. Please hand in labs attached with a paper clip, **not stapled**. Please ensure that all pages are letter size (A4) paper.
**1. Important Information**
In the top right hand corner: name, name of lab partners, date, block.
**Underline YOUR name or make it obvious whose report it is.**
**2. Title**
This should include the number and the name of the lab. It should be centered in the middle of the page and underlined.
**If it is your own lab, include a descriptive title that gives an idea of what was done. e.g. The Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Reaction.**
**3. Abstract**
This should be written when you have completed the lab so leave a space if you are handwriting your lab. The purpose of the abstract is to give a brief summary of the experiment. It should be past tense, at least three sentences, and include a brief purpose, a basic procedure and brief results. Traditionally, it should be written in the third person, as shown in the example below. However, this convention is no longer necessary. You may write in first person, but it should always be in past tense.
e.g. In this experiment, the effect of temperature on reaction rate was tested using magnesium ribbon placed in 2M hydrochloric acid. 2 identical pieces of magnesium were used, each placed in a different temperature of hydrochloric acid and the time until they had fully dissolved was recorded. Results indicated that the colder temperature had the slower reaction time, with reaction time decreasing as the temperature increased. However, between the two hottest temperatures, there was not a significant decrease in reaction time, indicating that there was a maximum temperature for speeding up this reaction.
**4. Purpose**
Write a past tense, full sentence statement that indicates what you were trying to find out by doing the lab. It may be very similar to your title.
**5. Materials**
a) Write “Refer to page ## in Heath Lab Manual, Lab ##”
b) List any changes to the materials.
OR
**a) List all materials (hardware and chemicals) required; include sizes where necessary**
**6. Procedure**
a) Write “Refer to page ## in Heath Lab Manual, Lab ##”
b) List any changes to the procedure.
OR
**a) Write your procedure in paragraph form, in the past tense, as if you are describing what was done. You may write in the first person using “we” or “I”, or in the format shown below. You do not need to include collecting materials.**
e.g. 10mL of hydrochloric acid was measured in a graduated cylinder and then poured into a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask. 250mL of water in a 400mL beaker was placed on a hot plate until a temperature of 25°C was reached.
**7. Data and Observations**
Include any data tables made during the lab. Make sure your data tables have titles so I know what data is in them. Include any observations you made. Ensure that data tables do not span more than one page. Adjust spacing accordingly. If required, do any calculations required to complete the data table. For labs with similar calculations, include only one sample for each type of calculation involved. In this section, only include calculations for the results, not any that are required for the discussion questions.
**8. Results**
Describe your data and observations in detail, in full sentences, in a paragraph. Begin with a topic sentence about the general result of the experiment, then describe the more detailed results. Include important numerical data within your paragraphs. Include any graphs or other visuals **after** the written results. Will it seem like you are writing your data and observations over again? Yes. You are, just in full sentences, omitting extraneous info. Data and Observations is for you. Results are for your reader. Include any relevant sources of error. Do not include sources of error just for the sake of having them.
e.g. The results showed that an increase in the temperature of hydrochloric acid led to an increase in the speed of its reaction with magnesium. The beaker containing HCl at 5.0°C, the magnesium took 3.8 minutes to react completely. In the beaker containing HCl at 25°C, the magnesium took 2.6 minutes to react. Etc.
Examples of sources of error: Imprecision of measuring instruments could affect the precision of any calculation. Limitations of a testing procedure could affect your results. Include any sources of error that may have affected your results. Human errors, such as spillage, should only be noted if you did not have time to repeat the experiment or correct the error. If you make human errors during the lab, you should try to correct them.
**9. Discussion**
Answer any questions that were assigned with the lab. Use full sentences for your answers. Write in paragraphs, as if these answers are your topics of discussion. I should be able to figure out which question you are answering just by reading your answer. Show any calculations required to answer these questions.
OR
**If there are no discussion questions with your lab, the discussion section is where you include the explanation and significance of your findings. This is the place to demonstrate your understanding of what we are learning in chemistry. Please do not include whether you learned a lot or enjoyed the lab. While I appreciate the feedback, it is not part of a lab report.**
**10. Conclusion**
Write a formal statement relating your results to your purpose at the beginning of the lab.
e.g. Increasing the temperature of hydrochloric acid increased the rate at which it reacted with magnesium to a maximum point at which increased heat no longer affected the speed of the reaction.