What is the difference between experiment and experimentation?

Question

If I am correct, both experiment and experimentation exist in English. Which one should I use? Can I say the following two sentences?

• This week, I am conducting new experiments at the laboratory
• This week, I am conducting new experimentations at the laboratory

If the answer is yes, is there any difference between them?

Answer 1

Experimentation is the act of doing experiments.

So you would say "I am conducting new experiments at the laboratory"

eg. "not all experimentation is done in a laboratory" means sometimes experiments are done outside the lab.

Answer 2

Yes there is a difference.

Experiment is a test

Experimentation is the act of carrying out a test, or doing tests.

E.g.:

Over 200 experiments are carried out each week at the laboratory.
The new car is undergoing experimentation by the expert drivers at the race track.

Answer 3

experimentation

The act, process, or practice of experimenting.

Usage:

• Children need the opportunity for experimentation.
• Extensive experimentation is needed before new drugs can be sold.
• Experimentation with illegal drugs is dangerous.

experiments

A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried.

Usage:

• Some people believe that experiments on animals should be banned.
• Scientists are conducting/carrying out/doing experiments to test the effectiveness of the new drug.
• I've bought a different kind of coffee this week as an experiment (= in order to see what it is like).
• We can only find the best solution by experiment.