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Format for Writing a Chemistry Lab

The document outlines the format for writing a chemistry lab report, detailing sections such as Title, Aim, Apparatus and Materials, Procedure, Observations and Results, Sample Calculations, Discussion, Precaution, Source of Error, Limitation, Assumption, Conclusion, and Reflection. Each section has specific guidelines for content and presentation, including rules for diagrams, tables, and graphs. The report emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and the importance of not using whiteout in the lab book.

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6 views

Format for Writing a Chemistry Lab

The document outlines the format for writing a chemistry lab report, detailing sections such as Title, Aim, Apparatus and Materials, Procedure, Observations and Results, Sample Calculations, Discussion, Precaution, Source of Error, Limitation, Assumption, Conclusion, and Reflection. Each section has specific guidelines for content and presentation, including rules for diagrams, tables, and graphs. The report emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and the importance of not using whiteout in the lab book.

Uploaded by

samarr.jagroop
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Format for Writing a Chemistry Lab

As you write the lab, be sure to write the lab number and date at the top of the page in your Lab book.
Note that there should be NO WHITEOUT used in this book.

Title: Topic that this lab falls under. (This is often the chapter under which the lab falls).

Aim: What does the experiment seek to do?


(Usually begin like this: To investigate…
To observe…
To compare…)

Apparatus and Materials: a list of everything you will need to carry out the lab.

Sometimes, it may be easier to draw the set-up of apparatus and materials than to describe the set-up in your
procedure. In cases like these, you may draw the set-up under the apparatus and materials heading and simply
reference the set-up in your procedure. Please follow the rules for drawing diagrams (seen under observations
and results).

Procedure: A step by step outline describing how to carry out the lab. It should be written in the command
voice (e.g. Pour the water into the beaker). And each step should be numbered.

Observations and Results: You observe things with your 4 senses. (we do not use the sense of taste at all when
carrying out labs). Here you will describe the changes you see, hear, smell or can feel. If new products are
formed, you will NOT identify them in your observations. You will do so in your discussion.

Observations and Results can be in many forms and each one has very specific rules that apply to it.
For example:
- They may be in the form of a Diagram.
o Rules for diagrams:
 Each diagram must have a Title
 Title must be written in pencil below the drawing in all uppercase letters and double
underlined
 Drawing and labeling must be done in pencil.
 Use a ruler to help with drawing as drawing must be very neat.
 Drawing must be done to scale.
 Label lines must all be to one side of the diagram and must be drawn using a ruler. Label
lines must never be drawn diagonally and label lines must never cross each other.
 There is to be no shading in drawings.
 Do not put any arrowheads at the end of your label lines
 Diagrams should be BIG.

- They may be in the form of a Table.


o Rules for tables:
 Each table must have an appropriate title. Ensure title is specific.
 Title must be written in pen ABOVE the table in all uppercase letters and double
underlined.
 Each heading must have the appropriate units in brackets next to it.
 Keep the number of decimal places constant for each column.
 Always enclose your table in pencil using a ruler.
 If the table takes up more than one page, the title and headings must be rewritten.
- Sometimes you may choose to represent your data in the form of a Graph.
o Rules for Graphs:
 A graph is usually representative of information from a table. The table must always be
recorded first in your observations and results, then your graph may be inserted.
 Your graph must have an appropriate Title located at the bottom of your graph written in
all uppercase letters and double underlined. Everything in the graph is to be written in
pencil.
 The axes must both be correctly labelled to include appropriate units.
 The scale for your graph must be recorded in the upper right hand corner of the graph.
 The only acceptable notations to plot points are ‘x’ or ‘ʘ’.
 Not all points go through zero. To determine if a point goes through zero, ask yourself
“if x is zero will y be zero as well?” and vice versa.
 Your graph may require you to draw a curve or line of best fit. If in doubt, please see
your teacher.

Sample Calculations: In calculations, you will include any calculation you have made for observations or will
make for the discussion down to the most minute calculation.

First you will write the word equation for the calculation, then you will insert the numerical values and be sure
to write in the units for you answer.

Discussion: The whole idea behind your discussion is for you to use the knowledge that you have gained in
class to explain what you observed. You will first need to give the definitions of any pertinent theories and
explain how they apply to this experiment. You will then need to explain everything that is recorded in your
observations, relating them to the key concepts and theories you highlighted.

Precaution: Any measure that is taken to ensure accuracy of results.

Source of Error: Any occurrence that may have impacted the quality and reliability of results.

Limitation: A condition which may affect the accuracy of results, but which we can do nothing about.

Assumption: A thing we assume to be true to maintain validity of results.

Conclusion: Your conclusion should be a direct reflection of your aim. It always begins with “It was found
that…” Your conclusion must be a very simple statement. Rarely is it ever more than one sentence. Never
explain anything in your conclusion. That is what your discussion is for.

Reflection: How has having done this lab affected your understanding things that may occur in everyday life?
What everyday life uses can be made of the principles related to this lab? Does this lab relate to you in any
way?

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