WRITING LAB
REPORTS
Form 104
Ms. Levy
OBJECTIVES FOR THE
LESSON:
Recall the three main types of variable using at
least one example.
Describe the process of diffusion.
Examine the format for writing a report.
Conduct a simple laboratory experiment on
diffusion of potassium permanganate in hot and
cold water.
Write a report of a laboratory investigation.
FOCUS QUESTIONS:
Why do you think it was possible for the boy to
stay in his room upstairs and smell his
mother’s cooking downstairs?
Have you ever heard the term matter? What
do you think all forms of matter are made of?
What process do you think is responsible for
the aroma spreading from the kitchen into the
boy’s room?
WHAT IS DIFFUSION?
LET US EXPERIMENT!!
THIS IS WHERE YOUR
LAB RULES COME IN!
PLEASE WORK SAFELY
AND APPLY YOUR
RULES
DETAILS:
AIM: TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE RATE OF
DIFFUSION OF POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE CRYSTALS.
POINT TO NOTE:
PLEASE WORK
ALONGSIDE
YOUR GROUP
LEADERS.
METHOD/PROCEDURE:
Using a measuring cylinder, measure out 200cm3 of water.
Pour the water into a beaker.
Using a capillary tube, carefully dip the capillary tube into the
potassium permanganate crystals so that it fills the tip.
Add a few crystals of the potassium permanganate to the
bottom of the beaker and remove the capillary tube.
Leave the beaker undisturbed for 30 minutes.
Record observations before, during and after the experiment is
complete.
Repeat steps 1-6 using 200cm3 of warm water.
FORMAT FOR WRITING UP A
LAB
Topic: REPORT:
Give the name of the experiment
Date: State when you did it.
Aim: State what is being explored and make any prediction(s)
Apparatus and Materials: Identify all the tools and items to be
used. Include diagrams of how to set up the apparatus
Method/procedure: Record the steps of the experiment
Use past tense
Write the steps in order
Number the steps
The method may include diagrams.
FORMAT FOR WRITING UP A
LAB REPORT:
Observation/results: Record what happens- anything
you observe- and any measurements. Use tables and
graphs or diagrams that are annotated.
Analysis and Discussion: Discuss your observations.
Explain what these show.
Precautions taken: Explain the steps you took to limit
errors.
Conclusion: Draw inferences from the experiments or
make a deduction based on the information gathered.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR
LAB REPORT
Observations:
Describe what was observed during the 30 minute period. Use diagrams to illustrate
observations, before, during and after the 30 minute period.
Analysis and Discussion:
Guiding Questions to write discussion
What is diffusion?
Identify the independent, dependent and controlled variable in the experiment.
In which beaker did diffusion occur the fastest and what do you think was responsible
for this?
Where was the area of high concentration and low concentration in the experiment?
Why was the water purple at the end of the experiment?
Precaution:
What are two precautions you took to ensure your experiment had no error?
Conclusion: Make an inference of what you found in your experiment and link it to your
aim.
ONLINE LAB EXPERIMENT!
Lab Simulation on Photosynthesis:
Aim: To investigate the effect of light on the rate of photosynthesis
amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=79&brch=16&sim=126&cnt=4
ACTIVITY:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Below are pieces of lab reports. Say which section would come in a lab report.
Say which section they would come in a lab report.
A container was filled with oil and another container was filled with water. A new
iron nail was placed in each container and left for a week.
A meter rule was used to measure the height of all the plants
When the freezer was opened, it was found that all the containers were cracked.
The water expanded when the ice was formed.
Since both lids A and B were the same size, the heat had caused lid A to expand.
