Template for Lab report
Cover page
Title
Name
Class
I.
Introduction
1 page:
- where you describe why you did the experiment
- describe the theory about the different test
- describe what you did to prove the theory
II.
Procedures
and methods
A. P
reparation of a 1wt% solution for Unknown and “salt used”
B.
pH Testing
C.
Solubility test
D. C
onductivity Testing
E.
Flame Test
F.
Precipitation test with Silver Nitrate and Barium Chloride
G. P
reparation of solutions for gravimetric analysis
H. Gravimetric analysis
Table 1: Safety information
Chemical
Potential Danger
Precautions
III.
Results
Table 2: Results from pH test on a 1wt% solution
Trial
Unknown sample
“salt used” (MgSo4)
1
8.5
9.1
2
8.3
8.8
3
8.4
8.6
average
8.4
8.8
Table 3: Results observable properties
Trial
Unknown sample
“salt used”
Color of the sample
White
White
Color of the flame
No color
No color
Table 4: Results from solubility test on a solid sample
Trial
Unknown sample
“salt used”
Acetone
Insoluble
Insoluble
Ethanol
Slightly soluble, cloudy
Slightly soluble, cloudy
mixture, salt suspended
mixture, salt suspended
3M HCl
Insoluble
Insoluble
3M NaOH
Slightly soluble, cloudy
Slightly soluble, cloudy
mixture, salt suspended
mixture, salt suspended
Water
Table 5: Results from conductivity test on a 1wt% solution
Trial
Unknown sample (mS)
“salt used” (mS)
1
5.52
4.99
2
5.54
6.32
3
5.9
6.0
average
5.65
5.77
Table 6: Results from precipitation test on a 1wt% solution
Trial
Unknown sample
Unknown sample
“salt used” with
“salt used” with
with silver nitrate
with barium chloride
silver nitrate
barium chloride
1
Did not form
Formed precipitate
precipitate
2
Did not form
precipitate
Formed precipitate
precipitate
3
Did not form
Did not form
Did not form
precipitate
Formed precipitate
precipitate
Did not form
precipitate
Formed
precipitate
Formed
precipitate
Formed
precipitate
Table 7: Results from gravimetric analysis
Trial
Unknown sample
Percent yield
“salt used”
Percent yield
Theoretical yield
.26 g MgCO3
1
.06
23 %
.01
4%
2
.07
27%
.02
8%
3
.02
8%
.05
19%
average
.05
19%
.026
10%
Calculations
a.
Preparation of a 1wt% solution
b.
Average of 3 trials for “pick one test”
c.
Theoretical yield from gravimetric analysis
d.
IV.
Percent yield
Discussion
Discuss all the test and from each one show what allows you identify the unknown.
V.
Conclusion
Conclude on your results.
What was your unknown salt a what was the most valuable test to identify it.
VI.
Research
connection
Find a research paper that you find interesting
What were they trying to do?
What was the main experiment?
What did they find?
References
ACS style
1 References in order of appearances, and use the number to cite them in the text
2 References in order of appearances, and use the number to cite them in the text
3 References in order of appearances, and use the number to cite them in the text
4 References in order of appearances, and use the number to cite them in the text
General Chemistry I Lab Report Rubric – Project 1: Inorganic salts present in water samples
Sections
Sub-Sections / Descriptions
Requirements
Total
Describe why it may be necessary to
identify unknown chemicals in day-to-day
life with specific examples.
Background: A summary of a real-world
example(s) and / or application(s) that
affirm the importance / help introduce the
chemistry of this lab.
Note: Do not use the examples in the
laboratory manual. If included in your
laboratory report, no credit will be given.
The example(s) and / or application(s)
provided should demonstrate:
- Research context for the problem(s)
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and / or question(s) the experiment
seeks to address.
- Relate the problem to scientific theory,
i.e. the qualitative/quantitative tests.
- Explain how and why this research is
important to conduct in the laboratory.
Concepts that can be included but are not
limited to:
Qualitative/Quantitative analysis
-Solubility
-Conductivity
Introduction
Theory: Provide an overview of the key
scientific concepts / theories that explain
how the experiment works.
-pH
-Flame test
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-Gravimetric analysis
-Volumetric analysis
The overall goal of this section should be
to help familiarize your readers (who may
be non-scientists) with the topics you
have introduced and the importance of
your work.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis should
logically express what the researcher
thinks the overall outcome of the lab
should be.
Objectives: The goal to be achieved at the
end of each part of the experiment and a
summary on how those goals will be
attained.
Hypothesis: From the physical properties
of your unknown (texture, color, etc.),
what chemical do you hypothesize your
unknown to be.
Remember to include your rationale for
why you think your hypothesis is
reasonable.
Objectives: Explain the objective for each
week of the experiment.
- Provide a brief explanation of the
investigational method you will
execute for each objective.
/3
The two main tasks of this section are to:
Part 1 Methods: This section should
contain all of the details recorded in your
notebook on how the experiments were
carried out.
This includes numerical details such as
mass, volume, temperature, reaction time,
etc.
Describe the exact laboratory apparatus
and laboratory procedure a researcher
utilized to collected empirical data.
- i.e. exact masses, volumes, glassware
(with sizes), chemicals, equipment, etc.
Describe the process of how to analyze
the collected empirical data.
/3
Provide a step-by-step procedure for:
-Solubility
Note: Each experiment should have its
own appropriate subheading.
-Conductivity
-pH test
-Flame test
-Analysis of ions
The two main tasks of this section are to:
Describe the exact laboratory apparatus
and laboratory procedure a researcher
utilized to collected empirical data.
- i.e. exact masses, volumes, glassware
(with sizes), chemicals, equipment, etc.
Methods
Part 2 Methods: See description above.
/3
Describe the process of how to analyze
the collected empirical data.
Provide a step-by-step procedure for:
-Gravimetric analysis, or
-Volumetric analysis
Use a table to organize the safety
information for each chemical utilized
during the course of the experiment.
Safety: Should contain information on the
chemicals used in this experiment and the
necessary precautions taken when using
them.
There should also be information on any
other physical hazards (i.e. fire, sharp
objects, etc.) and the precautions you
took.
Please provide all the information stated
below for each chemical utilized:
-
Chemical Name
Chemical Formula
Molecular Weight
Potential Hazards
Safety Equipment Needed
Please provide safety information on all
laboratory equipment (excluding
glassware) when applicable (ex. hot plate)
- Equipment Name
- Precautions Used
/3
Part 1 Results: This section should
contain all of the empirical data you
obtained or calculated from the
experiment you performed.
Use a table to organize the empirical data
you collected per trial for all the tests
carried out.
This includes but is not limited to:
-Initial masses/volumes
The data should be displayed
appropriately, i.e. tabulated, graphed, etc.
to make it easy for the reader to refer back
to it in the corresponding discussion
section.
-Concentrations used/prepared
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-Solubility
-Conductivity
-pH test
Therefore, each table, graph, etc. should
be numbered and titled appropriately.
-Flame test
-Analysis of ions
Use a table to organize the empirical data
you collected per trial for all the tests
carried out.
This includes but is not limited to:
Results
Part 2 Results: See description above.
Calculations: Provide sample
calculations for all equations used to
analyze your results, even for nonobvious algebraic steps.
For each type of calculation performed,
this should include the mathematical
formula and a sample calculation using
that mathematical formula.
Please number each sample calculation
appropriately, to make it easier for the
reader to refer to it in the corresponding
discussion section.
-
Initial masses/volumes
Moles reacted
Concentrations used/prepared
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Gravimetric analysis
Volumetric analysis
Theoretical yield / concentrations
Standard deviation
Percent error
Sample calculations to include are:
- Dilution Formula, (M1 ∙ V1 = M2 ∙ V2 )
- %wt solution
- Preparing solutions
- Theoretical yield / concentrations
- Standard deviations
- Percent error
/3
Discuss the results obtained in Results
Part 1.
Compare and contrast the theory you
described in the introduction (this proves
you understand the theory).
Part 1 Discussion: This portion of the
paper should attempt to explain all of the
results from the experiment in Part 1.
You should also justify why certain
decisions were made when carrying out
the experiments (i.e. if there were options
for techniques to be used, compounds to
be tested, etc.).
Describe your data in detail, especially
the vital information that will help
bolster or refute your hypothesis.
Compare the standards and your unknown
so you can formulate a strong argument to
prove the nature of your unknown.
Does the data support your hypothesis or
hypotheses, why or why not?
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Does the scientific theory behind the
experiment assist you in providing an
explanation for your results?
Use the values from your results to
support your arguments and compare
them to theoretical values if possible.
Discussion
Tip: Use page 44 in your lab manual to
obtain literature / theoretical values for
each of your tests under Supplemental
Information links.
Discuss the results obtained in Results
Part 2.
Does the data support your hypothesis or
hypotheses, why or why not?
Part 2 Discussion: See description above.
Use the values from your results to
support your arguments and compare
them to theoretical values if possible.
Does the scientific theory behind the
experiment assist you in providing an
explanation for your results?
Utilizing your calculated standard
deviation and percent error values,
compare the efficiency of the
experimental technique you developed.
/3
Sources of Error: Include any systematic
and random errors that could possibly
influence your results.
Are your results reliable?
Simply stating human error was present is
not valid nor beneficial when considering
how to improve your experimental
methodology.
- As the researcher, you need to mention
Sources of Error: Discuss any major
sources of error in the experiment that
may have altered the experiment’s
outcome.
Discussion
(continued)
Changes to the Experiment: discuss any
changes you would make to the
experiment (to reduce errors, make the
experiment more practical, etc.) and
explain why.
the specific type of error that occurred
during the experiment.
Examples of appropriate sources of error
are listed below but are not limited to:
- Measuring errors, (i.e. chemicals)
- Improperly maintained equipment used
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during the experiment
- Improper cleaning / contamination
- Discuss the uncertainty of your
experimental data by providing
statistical analysis when appropriate,
i.e. standard deviation can be
referenced.
Changes to the Experiment: Identify how
you would alter your experimental
methodology to reduce or minimize errors
and increase the reproducibility of your
empirical data.
What was the purpose of the experiment?
A goal of this section is to include a
restate the experiment’s hypothesis and
objectives.
Conclusion
In addition, a summary should be
provided on whether or not your
hypothesis was affirmed or denied based
on your empirical data.
Finally, briefly outline any major sources
of error that could have given unexpected
results.
Did you learn anything new when you
executed the experiment?
How did you investigate the problem and
why investigate in that specific way?
What evidence did you obtain that
strongly supported or refuted your
hypothesis?
As the researcher, after completing the
experiment do are you still have any
unanswered questions, i.e. is further
inquiry and investigation needed, why or
why not?
/3
Pick a concept or a technique related to
the experiment and find a recent peerreviewed scientific article.
- (i.e. must have been published within
the last five (5) years)
Utilize a scientific search engine such as:
-
This section should summarize an article
(published in an accredited scientific
journal) that is related to the experiment
that you executed in the laboratory.
Research
Connection
You should describe the technique(s) used
in the article, the motivations for
performing the experiment(s), the main
findings, and how these factors relate to
the experiment you performed.
Google Scholar
Science Direct
Web of Science
USF Library E-Journals
Tip: Within your Canvas course there is a
resource entitled ‘Searching the
Literature for Sources’ that provides
additional information on how to search
the literature for appropriate research
articles.
When summarizing the article these are
the questions you should answer:
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What question(s) did the article address?
What was / were the objective(s) of the
article?
What procedure(s) did they utilize to
answer their proposed question(s)?
What results did they collect and how did
they analyze them?
What were the conclusions of the
experiment?
Did the researchers answer their
question(s) or is further inquiry and
investigation needed?
Any idea, concept, application etc., that
did not originate from you personally
must be cited.
References
Please utilize ACS (American Chemical
Society) format and have both an in-text
citation, as well as the full citation under
the references heading.
As a reminder, directly quoting an
external source is unacceptable.
You are required to paraphrase, in your
own words, all cited information that
appears in your laboratory report.
Use ACS (American Chemical Society)
citation format.
All in-text citations should be cited with a
superscript number, and should match the
appropriate cited external reference in the
references section.
Superscript numbers are issued based on
the order they appear in the document.
They are not based on the alphabetical
last name of the author of the external
source your citing.
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Size 12 font with Times New Roman is
appropriate.
An example utilizing the illustrated
guidelines from the box directly to the left
is written below.
All sections, subsections, tables, charts,
images, etc. must be headed and titled
appropriately.
Using the materials provided from the
stockroom, the unknown sample was
analyzed using the pH test…etc.. In
addition, gravimetric/volumetric analysis
was carried out to… etc.
Use a font / text that is agreeable to the
eye (ask your TA for specifics).
Overall Format
All sections (except the results section)
should be written in paragraph form.
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Tip # 1: On pp 15-16 of your laboratory
manual you will find additional
information on general laboratory
guidelines you may utilize to develop
your laboratory report.
Also, all writing should be in past tense,
passive voice. Present or future tense may
be used only in the introduction.
Tip # 2: On pp 65-72 of your laboratory
manual you will find example visual aids
of how to format the various sections of
your laboratory report discussed above.
Remember that the only sections allowed to be similar to your group members are the
methods and results sections.
Additional
Information
Reminder: You must submit a completed initial laboratory report to My Reviewers by
the submission deadline of your course in order to receive the five (5) points allocated
to that assignment. Partial points will not be given for incomplete initial lab reports.
Reminder: Please do not write your name on your initial or final lab report. All
students should instead write the last five (5) digits of their USF ID number.
Reminder: Plagiarism is unacceptable, so any form of plagiarism will result in a “0”.
Total Score
50
/ 50
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