1. Lab reports
And how to write them

2. Parts of a lab report
Purpose: Materials: Procedure: Data/Observations: Calculations/Analysis: Questions/Conclusion: *yes, use the words as section headers

3. Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to… Include 3-4 sentences of background information that explain the science behind the experiment If there is a hypothesis it goes here

4. Materials
If you used it, then you must list it here.
Items can be bulleted, no need for paragraphs
Safety concerns are listed here too. EXPLAIN THESE!

5. Procedure
A procedure is always written as a paragraph. It is NOT bulleted. It is written in past tense, without the use of I, we, you, he, she etc… DON’T: I lighted the bunsen burner DO: The bunsen burner was lighted. Tell us what YOU did, not what you were supposed to do. Some of the greatest discoveries occurred by accident

6. Data/Observations
Whatever data was recorded as you performed your lab will be re-written here.
Use tables and charts, label everything completely

7. Calculations When calculations are needed they MUST be explained
An example of the formula you will use is written first
Every calculation is performed on a separate line neatly and clearly
EX: Denisty (g/mL) = Mass (g) / Volume (mL)
Densitysample 1 = 25.0 g / 5 mL = 5 g/mL

8. Analysis
If you are asked to identify an “unknown” it would appear in this section.
Ex: Unknown #1 – appeared Blue-green in color, based on the colors recorded in Data section this allows us to conclude unknown #1 must be copper (this is NOT the answer for our flame test lab unknown #1)

9. Questions
If you were asked to answer questions as a part of your lab, they should appear here.
Re-write the question and provide answer OR re-phrase the question as a part of your answer. Answers without context will receive deductions. Remember, anyone should be able to understand your lab report even if they never did the lab.

10. Conclusion
Remind your audience, what were you trying to do? What was the purpose? Here is where you comment on successes and failures, be sure to highlight major learnings. We used flame tests to identify unknowns… OR… We attempted to use flame tests but my lab partner went crazy and set the lab on fire, we will need to try again tomorrow…