Notes on “The Disappearing Beaker” Investigation

What grade did you get?
Your first report has been marked with comments but has not been graded. The number of comments on your report does not necessarily affect your grade.

Please read carefully the comments we have taken the time to write down and make sure that your resubmitted report addresses all of them.


DUE DATE – In Class on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

You must resubmit the report in class on Monday, with the original report attached at the back. We will again grade it and get it back to you as soon as possible.

Late Reports
Do not submit your report late. Late reports will lose 10 points (one letter grade) every day, including weekend days. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR REPORT LATE!

Resubmission Policy
Each time a report is returned to you, you will have the opportunity to resubmit the report. You may resubmit a graded/commented report as many times as you want, however you must completely rewrite the report each time.

Resubmission Deadline
You will have up to a week after your report is returned to you to resubmit it. No resubmitted reports will be accepted after that week has passed.

Spelling & Grammar
No points will be taken off for spelling or grammar problems the first time you submit your report. However if you do not correct them when you resubmit your report, you will have points deducted.

Number your pages and make sure your name is on every page.

How Long Should The Report Be?
Longer is not always better. Be clear and accurate. Diagrams & drawings that help explain what you are describing are an important part of physics.

Writing Style
The purpose of the lab report is not to tell a story. Take “You” out of the introduction, materials list and procedures. It is acceptable to discuss your experiences in the observations section as you recall it and also to ask questions in the conclusions section.


Make Each Section Distinct:

• Introduction
• Materials
• Procedure
• Observations
• Discussion
• Conclusions

Your introduction or the summary of your investigation should not include the detailed list of steps (the procedure) that describes how to do the investigation was conducted.

The procedure should not include your observations.

Be sure your conclusions are not part of your observations, and it’s always nice to end your report with a mention of additional things you might want to try based on the results of this investigation.

Find a Friend
Reread your report before you submit it. Have someone in your group read it as well or ask Ms. Purpura or Mr. Barkan to look it over before the due date so you have a chance to redo your report if necessary. We will do this in class on Monday.