Laboratory Notebook: Sample Entry
Your laboratory notebook is an authentic and original record of what you did in lab. It must be a bound notebook (not spiral or three-ring) and your entries must be entered in ink. The first few pages of your notebook should contain the Table of Contents with a list of the experiments and page numbers as you complete the experiments. Write only on one side of each page. The other side can be used for calculations, rough graphs, etc.
Pre-Lab Notebook Assignment: Your TA will check your pre-lab assignment at the beginning of lab. Students who do not complete this assignment will not be allowed to perform the assigned experiment and will have to complete the makeup lab.
Example 1:
Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions [TITLE]
May 20, 2008 [DATE]
Purpose: To study an endothermic and an exothermic reaction by measuring the temperature change which accompanies each reaction. To use the computer-interfaced temperature probe and the software to collect, analyze and graph the temperature versus time data. To use a top-loading balance, coffee cup calorimeter and graduated cylinder. [PURPOSE]
Questions or Modifications: Do we get to pick our own lab partner? [QUESTIONS]
Data Table for Expt 1A: Temperature Change for Chemical Reactions [DATA TABLE]
| Part I | Part II | |
| Final temp t2 | ||
| Initial temp t1 | ||
| Temp change = t2 - t1 |
You will enter your data into your lab notebook, NOT on the lab handout sheets.
Example 2:
Determination of the Density of Different Objects [TITLE]
May 20, 2008
Purpose: To use a top-loading balance to measure mass and a graduated cylinder to measure volueme; to use these measurements for various objects to determine their densities; to apply unit conversion skills and significant figures rules to your data; to use the program Least Squares Analysis to calculate density [PURPOSE]
Questions or Modifications:
Data Table 1 for Expt 1B: Length of Sides of Rectangle
| Side | Length (cm) |
| A | |
| B |
Enter Data Tables 2-5 for Expt 1B.
Laboratory Notebook Assignment During Lab
Enter all measurements into the data tables you prepared. Each measurements should be reported with units and with the correct number of significant figures.
Record all observations (changes in color, temperature, state of matter, evolution of gas, etc).
Record sample numbers, room temperature, barometric pressure when appropriate.
Record all errors (e.g. spills, incorrect mixing or weighing, contamination). These may requre that you start the experiment over.
Carry out calculations as you complete each step to check your results. These should be recorded in your lab notebook.
Before you leave lab, ask your TA to sign and date your lab notebook. Your TA will indicate what you did correctly and what you need to change in keeping your lab notebook. This signature also represents verification that you completed the lab work.
Work with your lab partner to complete the calculations and complete the post-lab assignment.
Completion of the Lab Report
Each student must turn in a lab report for each experiment one week after completion of the lab. The lab report is due at the beginning of the next lab period and represents the final report on your lab. Your lab reports should be prepared on a word processor.
Page 1: This is the title page and should include your name, lab section number, experiment title, date and purpose of the experiment, and your lab partner's name..
Page 2...; The body of your report should include
Results
Conclusions