Source: Lab Report Template 7, Texas A&M Experimental Physics and Engineering Lab
Tags: lab report, physics lab report format, lab report sections, experimental procedure, results and analysis, figure captions, table captions, equation numbering, TAMU physics lab, lab writeup
Physics lab reports follow a strict five-section structure: Abstract, Introduction, Experimental Procedure, Results and Analysis, and Conclusions. Figures, tables, and equations each have specific captioning and numbering conventions. The entire report must fit within three pages.
Abstract
A brief opening statement covering the main physics concepts used in the lab, how they were applied to the lab's specific questions, and a conceptual overview of results. Sits at the top of the report, before the introduction.
Keywords
A short list (no more than five) of terms placed directly below the abstract. These identify the core concepts and methods used in the experiment.
Introduction
The section where you state the lab's goal and lay out the general theory and physics concepts needed. Major equations appear here, in the order they are used in the analysis.
Experimental Procedure
A prose description (no bullet points) of the methodology for collecting data, including any necessary pictures or diagrams. Covers how data was gathered, not how it was analysed.
Results and Analysis
The section where you present data analysis, compare measured values to theoretical expectations, and include any plots or histograms that support your findings.
Conclusions
A short summary of the experiment, the results obtained, and what those results mean in context.
Equation numbering
The convention of labelling each equation with a sequential number (Equation 1, Equation 2, etc.) aligned to the right of the equation, so it can be referenced by number in the body text.
Figure caption
A descriptive label placed below a figure (e.g. "Figure 1: Description of this figure"). Every figure must be referenced in the text by its number.
Table caption
A descriptive label placed above a table (e.g. "Table 1: Description of this table"). Every table must be referenced in the text by its number.
The five required sections, in order: Abstract, Introduction, Experimental Procedure, Results and Analysis, Conclusions
The abstract opens with the physics concepts used, explains how those concepts address the lab's questions, and gives a brief conceptual summary of results
Keywords (up to five) sit immediately below the abstract
State the goal of the lab clearly
Present the general theory and physics concepts behind the experiment
Include all major equations you will use in your analysis, in the order they appear in that analysis
Each equation must be numbered (right-aligned) so you can reference it later, e.g. "as shown in Equation 1"
Every variable in an equation must be defined in the text, and the font for each variable in the text must match the font used in the equation itself
Length: a few paragraphs to half a page
Describe the methodology for data collection in prose paragraphs, not bullet points
Include all necessary pictures of apparatus or setup
Do not include the analysis method here; that belongs in Results and Analysis
Length: at least a few paragraphs, scaling with the complexity of the lab
Explain your data analysis and state your results
Compare measured values to expected (theoretical) values
Include plots, histograms, or other visuals as needed
Figures and tables can be placed side by side to save space, but must remain large enough to read
Length: a few paragraphs up to a full page
Summarise the experiment and its purpose
State the key results
Explain what the results mean or confirm
Caption goes below the figure
Labelled sequentially: Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.
Must be referenced in the body text by number
Left-justified or centred
Caption goes above the table
Labelled sequentially: Table 1, Table 2, etc.
Must be referenced in the body text by number
Left-justified or centred
Always centred on the page
Number label right-aligned (e.g. "Equation 1")
Must be referenced in the body text by number
Define every variable immediately after the equation
Total report length: three pages maximum
Use formal writing and standard language throughout
Do not change margins or font from the template defaults
Use visual whitespace between sections, figures, and tables
Avoid hand-drawn diagrams; use digital figures
⚠️ Caption placement is a common mix-up: figure captions go below, table captions go above. Getting this backwards is an easy mark to lose.
⚠️ Every figure, table, and equation must be referenced in the text. Including a visual without mentioning it in the prose is incomplete.
⚠️ The Experimental Procedure section must be written in paragraph form. Using a bulleted list here will cost marks.
⚠️ Variable definitions must match the equation's font. If the equation uses italic x, the text must also use italic x.
⚠️ The three-page limit is firm. Concise, precise writing matters.
Q: Where does a figure caption go in a physics lab report?
A: Below the figure.
Q: Where does a table caption go?
A: Above the table.
Q: In which section do you present the equations used in your analysis, and what rule applies to their placement order?
A: In the Introduction, and they must appear in the order they are used in the analysis.
Q: What must you do immediately after presenting an equation?
A: Define every variable in the equation, using the same font style as in the equation itself.
Q: Can you use bullet points in the Experimental Procedure section?
A: No. The procedure must be written in continuous prose paragraphs.
Q: What is the maximum length for this style of physics lab report?
A: Three pages.
Q: Name the five required sections of the lab report, in order.
A: Abstract, Introduction, Experimental Procedure, Results and Analysis, Conclusions.
Q: How should equations be aligned on the page, and where does the equation number go?
A: Equations are centred. The equation number (e.g. "Equation 1") is right-aligned on the same line.
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