Apologia Chemistry: Reactions Lab Report

Update: Andrew provides another sample report.

The materials that one needs to gather for this lab are seven test tubes, one test tube rack, one small beaker, one test tube holder, one piece of sandpaper, one Bunsen burner flame, three wooden splints, one iron nail, one small piece of copper, one piece of magnesium, three pieces of calcium metal, one solution of Ammonium carbonate, one solution of Barium nitrate, one solution of Silver nitrate, one solution of hydrochloric acid, one solution of Hydrogen peroxide, one solution of Copper II chloride, one piece of solid Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate, one piece of solid MnO2, 40 mL of distilled water, and a bottle of PHTH, and baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).

I had Lacie, one of my students rewrite the lab instructions for the Chemical Reactions lab using the third person, present tense, active voice, indicative mood.  Just below is her report.  It took about 45 minutes with minor corrections.  Before she began, I gave her prompts: one places, the student adds, she mixes, he heats, etc.

Types of Chemical Reactions

Purpose:  To perform chemical reactions which represent five general types

1.      For the first experiment the student cleans an iron nail with sandpaper until the nail is shiny. The student puts the clean nail into a test tube and cover the nail with Copper II Chloride solution. The solution remains there for the rest of the period.

2.      Secondly the student cleans a small piece of copper metal with sandpaper. The student places the copper metal into a small test tube and the student puts one squirt of the Silver nitrate solution. The solution remains for the rest of the period.  

3.      For the third experiment the student pours ten ml of Hydrogen Peroxide solution into a test tube. The student adds a solid sample about the size of a pea of MnO₂ to the Peroxide; one stirs and observes. (Do not touch the black powder) The student tests the gas produced with a glowing wooden splint. MnO₂ is a catalyst.

4.      For the fourth experiment the student puts a small scoop of solid sodium bicarbonate into a dry test tube. The student uses a test tube holder to gently heat the test tube with a tea candle. The student points the mouth of the test tube AWAY from themselves and others. The student moves the test tube in and out of the flame. Next the student puts a burning splint inside of the opening of the test tube after about 30 seconds of heating. (One does not place hot test tube in the plastic test tube wrack)

5.      The fifth experiment the student gets a beaker and adds 40 ml of water and then adds two or three drops of PHTH. One drops two or three small pieces of calcium metal. (One does not touch calcium with their fingers.) A combustible gas will be produced, but one does not test it. PHTH is an indicator.

6.      For the sixth experiment the student adds one piece (about two cm to one in) of Magnesium metal into a dry test tube. Next one adds a couple squirts of Hydrochloric acid solution. Finally, the student tests gas with a burning splint.

7.      For the seventh experiment the student adds one piece of Copper II sulfate-pentahydrate solid to a dry clean test tube. Then the student gently heats the test tube (just like in the fourth experiment- One does not test for gas, but the student observes the inside top of the test tube.)  

8.      For the final experiment the student adds one squirt of Ammonium Carbonate solution and 1 squirt of barium nitrate solution in a test tube.  

Here is the lab report rubric.
Lab Report Rubric


1. ________ (10 points) Title of lab report

2. ________ (10 points) Background information (Use the third person, present tense, and active voice.)

3. ________ (10 points) Materials listed in paragraph format.

4. ________ (10 points) Procedures described in paragraph format. Use the third person, past tense, and active voice.

5. ________ (10 points) Data Table

6. ________ (10 points) Results. Use paragraph format and state what happened. Include the percent error.

7. ________ (10 points) Conclusion. What happened? Discuss the percent error and possible sources of error.

8. ________ (10 points) Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

9. ________ (10 points) Use of third person, present tense, and active voice.

10. ________ (10 points) Cite all sources of information including the textbook and the lab packet.