Best Examples of Chemistry Lab Report Procedure Examples (With Templates)

Let’s skip the theory lecture and start with what you actually need: clear, copy‑worthy examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples you can model your own writing on.

Below, every procedure is written the way you’d see it in a solid college‑level report: past tense, third person, logically ordered, and detailed enough to be repeatable without being a novel.

Example of a Titration Procedure (Acid–Base)

This is one of the best examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples because titrations show up everywhere: AP Chemistry, General Chemistry I, and many intro labs.

Sample procedure (acid–base titration, college level):

A 0.100 M NaOH solution was standardized using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP). Approximately 0.40 g of primary‑standard grade KHP was weighed into a pre‑weighed 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask using an analytical balance (±0.001 g). The exact mass was recorded. About 25 mL of deionized water was added to dissolve the KHP, and the flask was swirled until no solid remained. Three drops of phenolphthalein indicator were added.

A 50 mL buret was rinsed with deionized water and then conditioned with approximately 5 mL of the NaOH solution. The buret was filled with NaOH, ensuring no air bubbles remained below the stopcock, and the initial volume was recorded to the nearest 0.01 mL. The KHP solution was titrated with NaOH while the flask was continuously swirled until the first persistent pale pink color remained for at least 30 seconds. The final buret volume was recorded. This procedure was repeated for three trials.

Why this works:

• Past tense: “was standardized,” “was weighed,” “was added.”
• Enough detail to repeat: volumes, concentrations, indicator, balance precision.
• Not bloated with theory; it just says what was done and how.

If you’re collecting real examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples for a template folder, this titration write‑up is a good baseline.

Examples of Chemistry Lab Report Procedure Examples for Common Experiments

Let’s walk through more procedure types you’re likely to see in 2024–2025 chemistry courses, including where modern digital tools (online data sheets, probeware, etc.) fit naturally into the wording.

Calorimetry Procedure Example (Specific Heat)

Sample procedure (coffee‑cup calorimeter):

A simple constant‑pressure calorimeter was assembled using two nested polystyrene cups with a plastic lid. Approximately 100.0 g of deionized water was transferred into the inner cup using a 100 mL graduated cylinder. The initial temperature of the water was measured using a digital temperature probe (±0.1 °C) interfaced with Vernier Logger Pro software, and recorded once the reading stabilized.

A metal sample (approximately 50 g) was heated in a boiling water bath for at least 10 minutes to ensure thermal equilibrium. The temperature of the boiling water bath was recorded as the initial temperature of the metal. The heated metal was quickly transferred from the boiling water bath into the calorimeter, and the lid was immediately replaced. The temperature of the water–metal system was recorded every 5 seconds for 3 minutes. The maximum temperature reached was taken as the final temperature for the calculation of the metal’s specific heat capacity.

If you’re looking for examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples that incorporate modern sensors and software, this one shows how to mention digital probes and data‑logging without writing a product advertisement.

For background on calorimetry concepts, many instructors still point to open resources such as the LibreTexts chemistry library maintained by UC Davis and partners (https://chem.libretexts.org/).

Reaction Rate Procedure Example (Effect of Concentration)

Sample procedure (iodine clock reaction):

The effect of reactant concentration on reaction rate was investigated using the iodine clock system. Stock solutions of 0.20 M potassium iodide (KI), 0.20 M sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3), 0.10 M potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), and 0.10 M starch indicator were prepared by the instructor. All solutions were used as provided.

For each trial, 10.0 mL of KI solution, 10.0 mL of Na2S2O3 solution, and 5.0 mL of starch solution were combined in a 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask using 10 mL graduated cylinders. In a separate 50 mL beaker, 10.0 mL of K2S2O8 solution was measured. The contents of the beaker were quickly poured into the Erlenmeyer flask, and a stopwatch was started immediately. The solution was swirled gently and the time required for the solution to turn dark blue was recorded as the reaction time. The procedure was repeated while varying the volume of KI solution (5.0–20.0 mL) and compensating with deionized water to maintain a total volume of 35.0 mL in each trial.

This is an example of a procedure where timing matters. Note how the wording calls out when the stopwatch was started and what visual change signaled the endpoint.

Buffer Preparation and pH Measurement Procedure Example

Sample procedure (acetic acid/acetate buffer):

A buffer solution with a target pH near 4.75 was prepared using acetic acid and sodium acetate. A 0.10 M acetic acid solution and a 0.10 M sodium acetate solution were supplied. A 100 mL volumetric flask was rinsed with deionized water and drained. Using a 25 mL volumetric pipet, 25.00 mL of 0.10 M acetic acid was transferred into the flask. Next, 25.00 mL of 0.10 M sodium acetate was added using a second 25 mL pipet. The flask was filled to the calibration mark with deionized water, stoppered, and inverted at least ten times to mix thoroughly.

The pH meter was calibrated using standard buffer solutions at pH 4.00, 7.00, and 10.00, following the manufacturer’s instructions. After calibration, approximately 30 mL of the prepared buffer was poured into a clean 50 mL beaker. The pH electrode was rinsed with deionized water, gently blotted dry, and immersed in the buffer. The solution was stirred gently with a magnetic stir bar, and the pH was recorded once the reading stabilized. The measurement was repeated twice to confirm reproducibility.

If your instructor wants “professional” writing, this sort of buffer write‑up is one of the best real examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples you can emulate.

For pH and buffer fundamentals, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has accessible pH explanations and field methods at https://www.usgs.gov/.

Electrochemistry Procedure Example (Galvanic Cell)

Sample procedure (Cu–Zn galvanic cell):

A galvanic cell was constructed using copper and zinc half‑cells. A 100 mL beaker was filled with 1.0 M CuSO4(aq), and a second 100 mL beaker was filled with 1.0 M ZnSO4(aq). A polished copper metal strip was placed in the CuSO4 solution, and a polished zinc strip was placed in the ZnSO4 solution. Each metal strip was connected to a digital multimeter using alligator clips.

A salt bridge was prepared by soaking a strip of filter paper in saturated KNO3 solution. The salt bridge was placed so that it connected the two solutions without allowing bulk mixing. The cell potential was recorded once the reading on the multimeter stabilized. The polarity of the electrodes was noted. The experiment was repeated using different metal combinations (Cu–Mg and Zn–Mg) and by varying the concentration of CuSO4 (0.10–1.0 M) to observe the effect of ion concentration on cell potential.

This is a clean example of how to write a procedure when you’re changing one variable (concentration, metal type) while keeping the basic setup identical.

For electrochemistry reference tables and standard potentials, many instructors use open educational materials such as MIT OpenCourseWare (https://ocw.mit.edu/).

Organic Chemistry Procedure Example (Simple Distillation)

Even if you’re in general chemistry, seeing an organic example helps you understand how to describe glassware‑heavy setups.

Sample procedure (separating ethanol–water mixture):

A simple distillation apparatus was assembled using a 50 mL round‑bottom flask, a distillation head, a thermometer adapter with a thermometer, a Liebig condenser, and a 25 mL graduated cylinder as the receiver. All ground‑glass joints were lightly greased and secured with Keck clips. Cooling water was circulated through the condenser with the inlet connected to the lower joint and the outlet connected to the upper joint.

A 30 mL sample of 50:50 (v/v) ethanol–water mixture was transferred into the round‑bottom flask along with two boiling chips. The flask was heated gently using a heating mantle connected to a variac. The temperature at the distillation head was recorded when the first drops of distillate entered the receiver. Distillate was collected until the temperature exceeded 90 °C. The volume of distillate was recorded, and the distillate was saved for later analysis.

Here, the procedure focuses on what you did with the apparatus, not on redrawing the entire setup in words.

Green Chemistry / Safer Lab Practice Example (Microscale Acid–Base Reaction)

Many 2024–2025 chemistry curricula emphasize greener, lower‑waste methods. Your procedure can show that without sounding like a press release.

Sample procedure (microscale neutralization):

A microscale acid–base neutralization was performed using a 24‑well plate to minimize chemical use and waste. Using a plastic transfer pipet, approximately 1.0 mL of 0.10 M HCl was dispensed into one well. Approximately 1.0 mL of 0.10 M NaOH was dispensed into an adjacent well. One drop of phenolphthalein indicator was added to the acid well.

NaOH solution was added dropwise from the base well to the acid well using a clean transfer pipet while the plate was gently agitated by hand. The number of drops required to reach a persistent pale pink color was recorded. All waste solutions were collected in a designated waste container for later neutralization and disposal according to the laboratory’s safety guidelines.

This is one of the more modern examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples because it explicitly references waste minimization and safe disposal.

For safety and waste‑handling guidance, many instructors reference the American Chemical Society (ACS) safety resources (https://www.acs.org/) and, for health‑related exposure topics, agencies like the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/).

How to Structure Your Own Procedure (Modeled on the Best Examples)

Once you’ve looked at enough real examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples, patterns jump out. You can adapt those patterns instead of reinventing the wheel.

A strong procedure section usually:

• Starts with how equipment and solutions were prepared or obtained.
• Moves step‑by‑step through what you did in the order it happened.
• Includes specific volumes, concentrations, temperatures, and time intervals.
• Names instruments and their precision only when it affects the data quality.
• Mentions safety steps when they change how the experiment is performed (e.g., using a fume hood, wearing heat‑resistant gloves).

Here’s a simple text template you can customize based on the examples above:

The [apparatus] was assembled as shown in the laboratory manual. Approximately [volume/mass] of [chemical, concentration] was transferred into a [glassware] using a [measuring device]. The initial [temperature/pH/volume] was recorded using a [instrument, precision]. The [second solution/solid] was prepared by [dissolving/measuring] [amount] of [chemical] in [solvent]. The [reaction/measurement] was initiated by [mixing/heating/adding reagent], and [property] was recorded every [time interval] for [total time]. The experiment was repeated [number] times to obtain replicate measurements.

You can plug in details from any of the examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples above and end up with something that reads like a polished report instead of a lab notebook scribble.

Common Mistakes (And How the Examples Avoid Them)

When you compare your own writing to the best examples, you’ll notice they avoid a few painful habits:

• Writing in recipe style: “First, you…” is for cookbooks, not lab reports. The examples use third person: “The solution was heated,” not “I heated the solution.”
• Leaving out numbers: “Some water was added” is useless. The examples always specify: “25.0 mL of deionized water was added.”
• Hiding safety details: If a step is done in a fume hood or with eye protection for a specific reason, include that. It shows you understood the risk, not just the chemistry.
• Copy‑pasting the manual word‑for‑word: Instructors can tell. Use the same structure, but adjust the wording to describe exactly what happened in your lab section.

If you’re unsure whether your procedure is detailed enough, compare it to two or three examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples above. If you’re missing volumes, instruments, or timing that those procedures mention, you probably need to add them.

FAQ: Examples of Procedure Sections in Chemistry Lab Reports

Q: Where can I see more real examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples online?
Many universities post open lab manuals and sample reports. Look at general chemistry courses from schools like MIT OpenCourseWare (https://ocw.mit.edu/), UC Berkeley, or community colleges that share PDF lab manuals. Cross‑check anything you copy with your own lab’s safety rules.

Q: How long should the procedure section be in a typical college chemistry report?
For a standard 3‑hour general chemistry lab, the procedure is often one to three short paragraphs. The best examples include every step that affects measurements, but skip narrative filler. If your procedure is shorter than four or five sentences, it’s probably missing detail.

Q: Can I write the procedure as bullet points like a checklist?
Most instructors prefer paragraph form in the final report, even if the original lab handout used bullets. The best examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples on this page are all in paragraph form, which is the safer default unless your instructor explicitly requests a list.

Q: Do I need to include safety instructions in the procedure?
Yes, but only when they influence what you did. For instance, “The mixture was heated in a fume hood due to NO2 gas formation” belongs in the procedure. General rules like “safety goggles were worn at all times” usually live in a separate safety section or in the pre‑lab, unless a specific step required special protection.

Q: Is it acceptable to say ‘the procedure was followed as written in the lab manual’?
Most instructors dislike that. They want your own description, tailored to what actually happened in your section. Use the manual for structure, then write a condensed version like the examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples shown here, including any modifications, errors, or changes made during the lab.

If you save this page and treat it as your personal library of examples of chemistry lab report procedure examples, you’ll never have to stare at a blank “Procedure” heading again. Copy the structure, plug in your own numbers and reagents, and your reports will immediately look more professional and readable.