Keeping a Good

Laboratory Notebook

Lab Notebook Outline for each Experiment:

• Title and Date
•  
• Statement of Purpose
  • One or two sentences about the purpose.
•  
• Introduction
  • Outline the basic theory(s) behind the experiment.
  • Tell how the experimental design utilizes this theory.
  • Show equations when applicable, main reaction, side reactions, mechanisms etc...
• 
  Table of Reagents
  • Name and Structure of Chemical
  • Molecular Weight (m.w.)
  • Moles Used (moles) - Only show moles for chemicals that are part of the reaction.
  • Amount (mass/vol.)
  • Melting Point (m.p.)
  • Boiling Point (b.p.)
  • Density (d.)
  • Solubility (sol.)
  • Hazards
•  
• Experimental Procedure
  • Description of procedure such that even without your text this you or a colleague could easily carry out the experiment.
    • Draw Set-ups
    • Use List / Flow Chart / Paragraphs
•  
• Observations
•           In this section you will write down the observations from your experiment.  This section is EXTREMELY important.
•  
• Results
  • Data and Observation
    • Record All Data Here- no need to use scrap paper.
      • Mass of Empty Flasks, Mass of Flask with Material
      • M.P. of product
      • Time of reaction
      • Temperatures etc...
  • Calculations
    • Required Calculations- simple calculation such as mass in flask (tare flask - flask with material) can be include with data.
      • Percent Yield
      • Rf
      • Density etc...

  Discussion

  • Analysis of Data and Calculations
  • Results of Experiment With Respect to the Theory(s).
    • How You Obtained the Results
      • ie. " The melting point data (15 -17 OC) and white crystalline texture show that the product obtained is ...)
  • Discuss Possible Causes of Error
  • Suggest Improvements to the Experiment
  • DO NOT REPEAT PROCEDURE
  • Conclusion
    • At the the end of the discussion include one or to sentences which briefly summarize the results of the experiment- this should include all relevant information in response to the success of the experiment as outlined by the Abstract.
•  
• References
  • Author. Date of Publication or retrieval. Tittle of Book/Journal or Web Address. Publisher : City

ChemFinder: http://chemfinder.camsoft.com/ Lists useful physical data about the chemicals used in 311 including M.W., B.P. M.P., d., sol. etc...

Hazardous Chemical Database: http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd/ Lists some physical data as well as links to information about any hazards associated with chemicals