Title
Name
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Moorhead MN
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Introduction
You should discuss Taylor Ch4, page 102, or Ch5 148. You should explain
o What all the symbols the formula for the standard deviation of the mean represent.
o The significance of the formula and why it is useful for experimental physicists
o Describe the interesting question you will explore in today’s experiment
o Use the AIP format of imbedded references: “The formula is kljdkfjdkj [1],”
where [1] is the AIP citation format for the Taylor textbook. Eventually, we will
learn to use software to handle the references but we will do it manually for now.
Experimental methods
Your goal is to make clear how the interesting question was explored using enough detail
that someone could repeat it to test your claims:
o You should include a schematic diagram of the experiment. It takes practice to
know what makes a good schematic diagram, so do not hesitate to ask your TAs
or instructors.
o The text should indicate what the independent and dependent variables are and
how they were measured.
Results
You goal here is to make clear what the results are:
o This is where you put data tables and graphs.
o For graphs, follow all good practices: label axes, put units on axes, etc. See
graph below.
o You should usually include x- and y- error bars.
o Describe the fits and discuss what fit function was used. Any fit parameters
should be indicated here.
o If you linearize your data, or plot on a log-log or semi-log scale, call attention to
it.
Force (N)
10
1
0.1
0.01
1
10
100
1000
Distance (m)
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Conclusions
Your goal is to come back to your interesting question and check if the data supports your
claim.
References
Section
Introduction
Experimental
methods
Results
Criteria
o What all the symbols the formula for the standard deviation
of the mean represent.
o The significance of the formula and why it is useful for
experimental physicists
o Describe the interesting question you will explore in today’s
experiment
o Use the AIP format of imbedded references: “The formula is
kljdkfjdkj [1],” where [1] is the AIP citation format for the
Taylor textbook. Eventually, we will learn to use software to
handle the references but we will do it manually for now.
o You should include a schematic diagram of the experiment.
It takes practice to know what makes a good schematic
diagram, so do not hesitate to ask your TAs or instructors.
o The text should indicate what the independent and dependent
variables are and how they were measured.
o This is where you put data tables and graphs.
o For graphs, follow all good practices: label axes, put units
on axes, etch.
o You should usually include x- and y- error bars.
o Describe the fits and discuss what fit function was used. Any
fit parameters should be indicated here.
o If you linearize your data, or plot on a log-log or semi-log
scale, call attention to it.

Conclusions
Your goal is to come back to your interesting question and
check if the data supports your claim.
o Use the AIP format
References
Quality of
writing
Notebook
(not graded
for Lab1)
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Punctuation correct and appropriate?
Spelling correct?
Paragraphs logically constructed and understandable?
Is writing typically in the 3rd person, passive voice?
Photocopy of notebook work included?
Does project begin with a title page in notebook?
Discussion of how data was measured?
Score (of 5)