SAMPLE LAB REPORT
The following is a template that you will follow (unless otherwise instructed) when
handing in a lab report. Please ensure that you do not omit any parts as this will
adversely affect your grade.
Title (what is the name of your lab??)
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COLOURED LIGHTS ON THE GROWTH OF A
TOMATO PLANT
Problem: Your question. What are you trying to find out or solve?
Example: Under which color light; red, green or blue, will plants grow best?
Hypothesis: Your prediction written in an " If....Then..." statement. Your hypothesis
must address the question. Check back often to your problem or question to ensure
that you stay on task.
Example: If I grow plants under red, green and blue lights, then the plants under the
green light will grow best.
Please DO NOT begin with 'I Think', 'My hypothesis is.." or 'I predict"
Independent Variable: what did you change (cause)
Dependent Variable: changes because you changed something (effect)
Example: In the above experiment the color of the lights is your independent
variable. This will have an effect on plant growth so plant growth is your
dependent variable. (Plant growth depends on the light.)
Materials: List all the materials needed to conduct the experiment, including all
measurements, brands, types etc (if applicable). Please don't list pen, pencil or
notebook.
Example:
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Red light
Green light
Blue light
Plant
Etc.
Procedure: Step by step detailed list of how to conduct the experiment.
Observations: A detailed written account of what you observed during the
experiment.
Results: Data collected during the experiment (measurements, times, temperatures,
etc.) Also, please include any charts/graphs/tables that you organized the data
into. It is always best to organize data into an appropriate chart, table, graph etc.
NOTE: Sometimes you can combine the Observations/Results into one section. You
might have a data table or chart that includes the observations you made during the
experiment.
Analysis: Explain the data you collected in words. First give a general description
of what you recorded in your chart or table, then describe the specific data which
would include temperatures or growth changes. For example: The tomato plant was
5 cm tall on Day 1 but grew consistently 0.5 cm each day under the red lamp.
Conclusion: The conclusion is a summary of your experiment from start to finish.
Begin by explaining the purpose of the experiment. Restate your hypothesis
and give reasons why you made the prediction you did. Indicate if your hypothesis
was correct or incorrect. Use factual information from your research to support
your conclusion. If your hypothesis was incorrect, give possible reasons why. You
should also address anything that might have had an impact on your results, and
suggest some ways that you might be able to make the experiment better (i.e. better
control over variables, experimental conditions, etc.)
Example: The purpose of the experiment was to find out if different coloured lights
affect the growth of tomato plants. My hypothesis was incorrect. I predicted that the
plant under the blue light would grow the most. I found out that the tomato plant that
grew under the red light grew the most. I think that it did this because red lights is
most similar to the suns energy. The plants that were grown under the blue light grew
the least amount. I think they did that because I observed that the temperature was a
bit lower under that light. Therefore, I can conclude that tomato plants grown under
red lights will produce the most growth.
If your hypothesis was incorrect, give some possible reasons why and how you
could test your hypothesis again.
The Effect of Different Coloured Lights on the Growth of a Tomato Plant
Problem: Under which color light; red, green or blue, will plants grow best?
Hypothesis: If I grow plants under red, green and blue lights, then the plants under
the green light will grow best.
Independent Variable: Different colours of lights
Dependent Variable: Growth of tomato plant
Materials:
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Red light
Green light
Blue light
3 tomato plants that were planted at the same time under the same
conditions
tape measure
Procedure:
Observations/Results: (this is the portion of the lab that will include your table of
data, a graph and/or a diagram).
Analysis:
Conclusion: The purpose of the experiment was to find out if different coloured
lights affect the growth of tomato plants. My hypothesis was incorrect. I predicted
that the plant under the blue light would grow the most. I found out that the tomato
plant that grew under the red light grew the most. I think that it did this because red
lights is most similar to the suns energy. The plants that were grown under the blue
light grew the least amount. I think they did that because I observed that the
temperature was a bit lower under that light. Therefore, I can conclude that tomato
plants grown under red lights will produce the most growth.