REVIS

Formal Laboratory Requirements – SPH3U/4U Mrs. Lew

ED,
❑ Title Page. List the full names of your group member(s). graphics optional.
2022
❑ Purpose

❑ Hypotheses

❑ Equipment. A diagram is usually helpful.

❑ Procedure. Attach the handout as an appendix.

❑ Data. Remember control values.

❑ Calculations. Show one sample for each calculation and then summarise it and

your remaining calculations in a table that includes the givens, equations, intermediate answers,
and final answers.

❑ Graphs. One full page per graph. You are permitted but not required to use

graphing software. Show interpolations with dashed lines, where necessary. Consider trial-and-
error to find linear relationships. E.g., if D vs I is non-linear and the slope keeps increasing, try
2
graphing D vs I . Include only the informative graphs.

❑ Discussion. List sources of error and discuss the significance of each source. Explain any unexpected results or unusable data. There are four categories of errors

and uncertainty
o
instrumental uncertainty: the instrument was not precise enough, e.g., sundial
o
measurement uncertainty: the object to be measured was “fuzzy”, e.g., measuring a cotton ball with Vernier calipers
o
systematic error: a flaw in the design of the procedure or analysis, e.g., effects of friction or other unexpected variables, not controlling a variable
o
procedural error: a flaw in the performance of the procedure
You are not required to include all types of error in your report; the list above is provided to help you generate ideas for interpreting your data. Which error was the most
significant? Did it always skew your data one way? How big was its effect? Answer or estimate quantitatively if possible. Can you draw valid conclusions despite your errors?
Justify your answer to this question. If you are verifying a known or accepted result, calculate the percentage error, if possible.

❑ Analysis. Describe any trends in your data, calculations, and graphs. Be as

specific as possible, e.g., linearly increasing. Be as quantitative as possible. Explain the

meaning of the values of slopes, intercepts, exponents, or other parameters; e.g., how are they
related to fundamental constants or systematic errors?

❑ Conclusions. Were your hypotheses supported by your data? State the

relationships you found in your analysis. State the limitations or conditions for your
conclusions’ validity.

❑ The rubric stapled to the last page.

 REVISED, 2022!
SPH3U/4U Formal Lab Report Rubric

Physics, Mrs. Lew Name:______________________

Categories Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Content and number of components completed some most nearly every every

Form evidence of correct experimental design partial adequate consistent complete

graphing conventions some criteria met most criteria met nearly all criteria met all criteria met

use of scientific language adequately correct reasonably correct mostly correct consistently correct

organisation, clarity, conciseness, appropriateness of headings adequate reasonable considerable excellent

Laboratory conclusion available due to quantity of data direction of proportionality type of function parameterised function parameterisation with little

uncertainty
Skill
agreement with ideal due to data quality partial reasonable nearly complete complete

Results experimental uncertainty values most are included all are included all are included, most are all reflect good scientific judgement

reasonable
and Analysis
calculations of uncertainty propagation and, where applicable, most are included all are included most are correct all are correct

percentage error

selection of scientific errors discussed missing several major sources missing some major sources all major sources a judicious selection

interpretation of scientific errors some interpretation of relative generally sensible interpretation mostly sensible, quantitative in insightful, quantitative wherever

importance of relative importance most possible cases possible

graphs included some necessary ones most necessary ones all necessary ones a judicious selection

analytic techniques adequate valid good proficient

description and interpretation of relationships among variables and vague description of adequate description of general clear interpretation of specific insightful interpretation of fully-

parameters relationships relationships relationships specified relationships

Conclusions number of relationships included some most nearly every every

consistency of conclusion with data and analysis partially consistent reasonably consistent mostly consistent completely consistent

scope of conclusions rather overly broad or narrow somewhat overly broad or narrow slightly overly broad or narrow neither overly broad nor narrow