needed by 5/1/25.
Augusta Technical College
Online Physics Lab Report Outline & Instructions
Dr. Nader Copty
• Laboratory Preparation: Instructions to all lab experiments are posted on our Blackboard course website.
Before performing each lab activity, students must read the instructions, prepare for the laboratory, and study the
theory for the experiment. Online lab experiments will be performed by each student as specified in the lab
instructions, and a single report will be submitted for each experiment activity. Students can work on the
experiments individually or in small groups of 2 or 3 students, but each student must write and submit their own
lab report and include a detailed list of contributions from all group members to the lab (see below).
• Laboratory Report Policy: Each lab experiment will span two weeks: The 1st week is devoted to reviewing the
activity and collecting the data, while the 2nd week is devoted to completing the lab report. Each student will be
responsible for producing a report pertaining to each experiment. Lab reports must be typed and submitted
(uploaded as assignments) via Blackboard website using the corresponding link available in the Labs & Reports
folder. Lab reports are due on Sunday by midnight (11:59 pm) before your next lab (see course schedule). Lab
reports will be graded and returned to you via Blackboard website with feedback and comments. Reports will not
be accepted via email. A student must pass the lab portion of the course in order to pass the entire course.
• Late Report Policy: Late laboratory reports will only be accepted in the case of extreme emergency or illness
and prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Students that do not participate in the lab activity or
do not submit the required lab report, will not get credit for the lab and will receive a grade of zero (0%). Refer to
the course syllabus for more details.
• Format of Laboratory Reports: Laboratory reports must be typed professionally using Microsoft Word (*.doc or
*.docx) and in standard font. Plagiarism and copying from the lab instructions or from another student will not be
tolerated. Each report must be a single document less than 1 MB in size, and the basic parts of all lab reports
must be arranged in the following order:
1. A “Title page” containing your name followed by your partner’s names if any, the title of the report, the
course code, section number, and the date when the experiment was performed.
2. A section entitled “Objectives”, which contains the objective or objectives of the experiment.
3. A section entitled “Theory”, which contains all pertinent theoretical considerations and equations used
during the lab or in the calculations. All equations must be explained and typed using Microsoft Word.
4. A section entitled “Equipment and Materials”, which contains a list of the equipment and materials used to
carry out the experiment. Also, include a sketch of the lab set-up, equipment, or simulation.
5. A section entitled “Data”, which contains the collected data and results in tabular format. All data tables must
be typed using Microsoft Word. Do not include any calculations in this section.
6. A section entitled “Graphs and Screenshots”, which contains any required graphs, diagrams, or
screenshots. All graphs must have a title, a well-chosen scale, and properly labeled axes. Curves and
straight lines should be drawn smoothly and as close to as many points as possible. Graphs must also
display any required slopes or intercepts. Screenshots must be clear and properly labeled.
7. A section entitled “Calculations”, which contains detailed calculations for all trials showing the equations
used, algebra, and results rounded to the correct number of significant figures. Include in this section
comparisons with expected or standard values (percent error or percent difference). All calculations must be
typed using Microsoft Word.
8. A section entitled “Conclusions”, which contains conclusions based on the data, calculations, physical
theory, and lab analysis. The conclusions should include:
✓ Summary of final results (values).
✓ Comment on the agreement or disagreement of the results with the theory or expectations.
✓ Answers all analysis questions given in the lab instruction or by the lab instructor.
✓ Discuss what you personally learned from this experiment and your observations/comments.
9. A section entitled “Sources of Error”, which contains a list of the possible sources of experimental errors.
There are always errors in any measurement. Identify some of the significant sources.
10. A section entitled “References” that lists all references used. Textbook and lab manual/handouts should
always be included.
11. If students worked on the lab as a group, include a section at the end of the report entitled “Contributions”
that lists in detail the contributions of all group members to the lab. Remember that each student must write
and submit their own lab report for each lab activity or experiment.
