All Lab Reports should be written on 8-½"×11" paper and should consist of the following:

Title Page
Include title of the experiment in the center. In the lower right hand corner indicate:
Your Name
Physics 1130
Date the Experiment was Performed
Lab Partners

Objective of Experiment
You should mention in a precise statement(s) what you are trying to do.

Theory of Experiment
You should include all definitions, any theoretical predictions or 'recipes' and mention any special cases for which the theoretical predictions were derived. Paragraph form is best. Pick up where the Objective left off and guide the reader along as you lay out the background as to how you intend to carry out the Objective. Provide good, logical flow. Diagrams are always helpful; if you use them, refer to them in the text.

Manipulation
You should provide an adequate description of the laboratory operations and apparati used in carrying out the experiment. This should be done in your own words and should be done at a level whereby you instruct someone unfamiliar with the experiment what's going on. Lay out how you got the data. Try not to sound like a "cookbook"; just tell what you did. Again, diagrams are helpful; be sure to refer to them in the text of your report.

Data
Include your data in a table with units. Record data using the correct precision.

Graphs
Buy graph paper when needed, use a convenient scale yet use most of the area of the graph paper for your graph. Title your graph, and label your axis (include units).

Sample Calculation
You should include a sample calculation for each operation used in obtaining your results. Be sure to follow the rules for precision and significant figures. Use actual data that you measured.

Results and Sources of Error
State your results referring back to the Objective. A brief discussion of the results of your experiment may be in order along with a comparison of the theoretical prediction to what you obtained. Break your discussion of possible sources of error up into (a) Instrumental error where you discuss the limiting precision of your instruments, and (b) Inherent error where you discuss problems with the experiment itself in carrying out the Objective.