Guidelines for a Physics Lab Reports Baylor （物理实验报告指南贝勒）.pdf

Guidelines for a Physics Lab Reports A laboratory report has three main functions: (1) To provide a record of the experiments and raw data included in the report, (2) To provide sufficient information to reproduce or extend the data, and (3) To analyze the data, present conclusions and make recommendations based on the experimental work. General Comments: The single most important requirement for a laboratory report is clarity. Imagine that your audience is one of your classmates who missed that experiment. If you are using a word processor for your lab report, then use the spelling and grammar checkers. The grammar check can be annoying because often technical sentences are wordy and complex, but it will help you avoid using too many passive sentences. In general, passive sentences are less understandable. However, grammar check will not assess clarity, and it will ignore simple errors. (I do not doubt there are still mistakes in this document I have run it through spelling and grammar checks.) Many technical writers prefer to write sentences with passive verbs. A simple example: “The spring constant k was found from the slope to be 3.02 N/m.” If you run this sentence through the grammar check, it will tell you that “was found” is a verb in the passive voice. To change this to an active voice you could write: “The spring constant k is the slope, 3.02 N/m.” Not every sentence has to be in an active voice. What you want is a report that is readable. Lab Report Structure: I. Cover Sheet: This page has the course number and assigned lab section, the title of the experiment, your name, your lab partner’s names, the date that the lab was performed and your TA’s name. II. Abstract: The purpose of