General Physics Paradigm Lab Report Guidelines

GENERAL PHYSICS –LAB GUIDELINES 2010-11

Ms. Barnard / Mr. Dominic

For each lab, record the following

1. Goal (state in a concise sentence, such as determine how the length of a pendulum is related to the time for one swing)

2. Data-taking strategy and method—This is where you decide and record a. what to measure (variables and what units of measurement, such as length in centimeters) b. what equipment to use (a labeled sketch is helpful) c. how to collect the data (what will you do 1st, 2nd, etc.) d. et cetera

3. Raw Data—this is where you collect and organize your data (decided in #2) in a well-labeled table. Be sure to: a. take and record several data points for each trial b. perform multiple trials c. make reasonable estimates of the uncertainty for each type of measurement, such as Length in centimeters, + 0.1 cm

4. Model—this is where you analyze your data in a way that allows you to make predictions. Tools include: graphs, equations, ratios, verbal descriptions, etc.

5. Result—this is where you evaluate the accuracy of your prediction (stated in the goal). a. Reflect on what went wrong/right and why b. Suggest improvements / corrections

6. Summary—This is where you make sense of our class results. a. Be able to express the General Model as: an equation, a graph, a sentence, (optional: an interpretive dance/song/drawing/mime/video/poem…) b. New Terms (vocabulary)  state and define each term  explain how each term arose from the experiment. This is where you explain the physical meaning of components of your model. o Example 1: on a graph of “number of heart beats” vs. “ time”, its slope is called “heart rate”. o Example 2: in an equation that describes how a population of mosquitoes changes over time, the y-intercept is called the “starting population”. o Example 3: in data table of distance and time for a car, the ratio of “distance traveled”/”elapsed time” is called “speed”.