Name____________________________

AP Lab report, Iodate Clock Lab.

Title: should be specific enough to describe the experiments, but should not run more than a sentence. In scientific writing, “witty” titles are discouraged.

Purpose: With more detail than the title, explain the goals of the experiment

Experimental design: Not a list of “methods” so much as a justification of the intended methods based on the purpose. Have you considered how you will measure the indicated variables, and controlled the necessary controls, if they exist? The actual data will come later in the report, but have you considered the range and number of data pairs you will collect?  Should be written in past tense, free of personal pronouns.  MLA paragraph form, never bullet points.

Observations and Results: Communicate your results through a combination of words and pictures. A careful graphical presentation, with an obvious linear relationship communicates better than a data table where the relationship may be less obvious. Supplement with a paragraph of explanation. If simple calculations have been applied to the measured values, show sample calculations but you don’t need to show identical calculations for every data point. You must also specify which data points in your graph(s) and data set(s) are yours group's specifically  Highlight those points on your graph. Finally, graph your data such that you can use the Arrhenius equation to determine the activation energy of the reaction.

Conclusions:  Include both a qualitative and quantitative analysis of your results. 

Quantitative:  Compare your result with the reported value of 50.3 kJ/mol and perform an error analysis. Also see if the rule of thumb that rate doubles every 10°C holds true.  Choose the correct numerical methods to make these comparisons.  

Qualitative:  Consider the meaning of your results. What about the reaction mechanisms corresponds to observed characteristics of the reaction.   Also describe the sources of uncertainty, and don’t dare attribute error vague problems like “human error.” If a human made a mistake, specify how exactly, and what effect it would have on the outcome.  Comment specifically on your own data points, which you’ve already highlighted on the graph.

As always, a lab report is written in paragraph form, according to MLA standards. Nothing in your lab report should be presented as bullet points or choppy incomplete sentences. Also, always use the passive voice.