*Lab+Instructions

Welcome to the AP Physics C Lab wiki-Book
Here is some more information on what to include in a lab report. Use this as a guide.

**In general, the lab should be written in the 3rd person (passive voice).** No personal pronouns should be used. It should kind of read like assembly instructions for a furniture etc... (NOT- We then recorded the measurements…. INSTEAD-> The measurements were read to 3 significant digits using….)

What is the relationship being investigated? What is already known/expected? What difficulties are anticipated and what is being done to adjust for them? Why did you do the lab? __//Research: Briefly summarize and link to a minimum of 2 articles. //__
 * Purpose/Background: **

Educated and testable guess of what will happen in the lab. In many labs, I'd like to see an equation used as a predictor here. What do you think the results will be in a perfect world? For example, if the lab will include calculating the acceleration due to gravity, please include the number you expect it to be. If you are calculating a distance traveled based on acceleration and a time, include the equation you expect the data to follow. Use the “ if…then….because” format. Ex: If you heat the sample of copper sulfate hydrate and re-weigh the sample it will be less because the heat removed the water.
 * Hypothesis: **

Brief but complete list. Also include important details about reference points from which measurements were made and any special setup requirements. Diagrams are optional but usually helpful.
 * Apparatus: **

Detailed step by step. Include how data was collected, the number of trials etc… The procedure section describes each step in the experiment in enough detail so that a stranger can read it and perform the experiment. In a predesigned laboratory experiment the procedure is already written and the student only needs to rewrite the procedure __in their own words.__ Make the rewritten procedure short and concise, but make sure it demonstrates an understanding of the experiment. In a lab designed by the student, the procedure should be a complete step-by-step description of how to carry out the experiment.
 * Procedure: **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Data: **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">Take the raw data collected during the lab and put it together in the best table and graph format if applicable. Data is usually presented in a Data Table and graph format and include the following: ( you should use excel or LoggerPro to make the data tables and copy and paste them into your report)

__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">TITLE __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;"> - The data table should have a descriptive title i.e.) __Table 1__: the efficiency of plants at converting solar energy into chemical energy

__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">COLUMN __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;"> -The data should be aligned correctly in columns with lines separating.

__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">HEADINGS __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;"> - Each column must have a heading, which describes the type of data found in the column.

__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">UNITS __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;"> - Each column heading must include the units of the data in that column.(depends on the amount of graphs and data tables needed per lab)

__<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">GRAPHS __<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">: All graphs should include a TITLE that describes the data being plotted and AXIS __LABELS__ that include the units of the data being plotted. (ex- Distance (m) vs. Time (s))Some graphs will have a curve (or line) fit to the data. In cases such as this one include the formula and parameters for the curve.(depends on amount of data) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Show an example calculation for each type of calculation. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">Show the algebraic form of the equations (with VARIABLES), show the data substituted into the equation (include units) and show one sample calculation for each equation. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Explain any calculations done and formulas used. Comment on acceptable range of values and if your data seems reasonable. Compare your measured results with the predictions you came up with using your equations. This may involve finding the percent error. Discuss any sources of errors. Humans CANNOT be errors, so please don't include the phrase "human error". What specifically was the error that the human committed?!?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analysis: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Was your hypothesis supported? Why or why not? What changes or adaptations need to be made for future investigation? Citing online resources to compare your results to is acceptable.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Conclusions: **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">Discussion of the results should include new questions that the results have brought up. If applicable, the discussion should also consider any possible changes needed in the design of the experiment. **Refer directly to your results!** Literally use data from your table and graphs to support your conclusion. For example, “As seen in Graph 1, the trend in using llamas to commute to school has decreased by 87% in the past four years.”

** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">Any work submitted in your name is to be your work alone. You may brainstorm problems and labs with others, but you must individually write your report. We take this very seriously. If you don’t practice academic honest, you compromise your integrity and the integrity of the course. The consequences are clearly explained in the student handbook.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.33px;">Intellectual Responsibility: **