Student Information

• Tutoring
• Handouts for Writing
• International students
• Writing Resources

Become a Consultant

• Undergraduate Work Study
• Graduate Assistantship

Faculty Information

• Academic Integrity
• Referring Students
• Writing Center Facts

Related Writing Links

• Documenting Sources
• Reference Sites
• Writing in the Disciplines

Formal Chemistry Lab Reports

In writing laboratory reports, follow the outline listed below, making sure to write reports in a concise, yet complete and clear manner.

Important Notes:

*Be sure to use third person, past tense, passive voice, and proper grammar!

e.g.-the solution was prepared by…or The solutions were made using…

**Don't use acronyms until you have first named the substance or technique and cited its acronym.

e.g. – potassium acid phthalate (KHP)

* Typed reports should be single-spaced; handwritten reports should be done clearly in ink on a non-spiral edged paper (preferably on a a carbon-copy laboratory research notebook).

The Report

Title: List the title of the experiment as given at the top of the cover page of the laboratory procedure packet for that experiment.

Objective (or Purpose): Use a single sentence to state explicitly the specific goal of the experiment and the analytical method used.

e.g.- The objective of this experiment was to use Beer's Law to determine the concentration of Cr(III) in an unknown.

* Instrumentation (if applies): List the manufacturer, model number, and general type(s) of all the instruments employed in the experiment.

e.g. – Spectronic- 21 vis spectrometer

Procedure: Briefly but thoroughly describe the following in a general manner:

• How solutions were obtained or prepared and used in analysis
• Amount(s) of substance(s) used
• Volume and concentrations of solutions if required by instructor
• Measurement process
• Other pertinent experimental aspects

*the procedure can be in a written out or flow chart format, depending on instructor preference.

• Written Out:

Standard solutions were made by appropriate dilutions of an aliquot of…

• Flow Chart: Heat rxn flask, stir until mercuric salt dissolves
  

Data and Observations: List the data and computed results in a simple, concise, yet very clear form (usually in a well-labeled form).

• Calculations- submit only one set of detailed mathematical manipulations of each type. There is no need to show every single calculation – all other values appear in data tables.
  
• Data tables- list calculated values in their appropriate format as below.

  Single entry

Weight of KH 2 PO 4 = 0.4374 g

Molarity of NaOH = 0.1000 M

Measurements of a series of solutions

Cr (III) Concentration, M Absorbance
______________________________

0.0100 0.100
0.0200 0.196
0.0300 0.304
0.0500 0.496
Unknown #3 0.234

A series of Visual Titrations

(1) (2)

Final Volume (mL) 23.62 47.29
Initial Volume (mL) 0.00 23.62
Volume Used (mL) 23.62 23.67

A pH Titration: e.g. – The titration of vinegar with NaOH

mL NaOH added __pH

0.000___3.45 0.200___3.85
0.400___4.12

Plotting- plots should:

•  be adjusted to fill the largest portion of space available with reasonable scaling
•  have clearly labeled axes (what was plotted & what units used)
•  have clearly located points (labeled both x & y values)
•  be smoothly drawn (Use ruler or graphical analysis)

Critical Evaluation: List major sources of potential sources of error in both the chemistry and human aspects of the experiment.

Questions : Answer any questions posed in the experiment sheet.

Conclusion: Discuss your results based n what you expected to happen. For example, if theoretical or literature clues exist for a substance or product, look them up and compare to your experimental results- don't forget to comment.

DO NOT MERELY REWRITE RESULTS!

Location:

Room 101 Davis Hall

Clarion, PA

Phone:

(814) 393-2173

Hours:

Monday- Thursday

8 a.m. to7 p.m.

Friday:

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.