EXAMPLE OF AN ABSTRACT

Selections from page 15.

DETERMINATION OF THE DENSITY OF CRYSTALLINE GERMANIUM

 Maria Smith Sept. 30, 1987

(Partner: John Klein) 

Abstract

A pycnometer has been used to determine the density of two samples of germanium at 25 C. The values obtained, with their 95% confidence limits, are r (sample I) = 5.310 ± 0.003 g cm^-3 and r (sample II) = 5.332 ± 0.003 g cm^-3. Both samples consisted of several pieces of crystalline material, with the pieces in sample I being larger and more irregular. It seems likely that sample I had hidden defects and voids that introduced a systematic error since the x-ray value of the density is 5.325 ± 0.002 g cm^-3. However, the density of sample II is larger than the x-ray value by an amount slightly greater than the sum of the cited uncertainties, which cannot be explained by voids in the sample.

The abstract is typically 50 to 150 words long; the example above contains about 90 words. It should summarize the results of the experiment and state any significant conclusions. Where appropriate, numerical results with confidence limits should be included.