Science Laboratory Report Grading Framework
Developed by Dr. Peter Jeschofnig
Title Page
Total = 5 pts.
Theory/purpose
Total =10 pts.
Equipment
Used
Total =10 pts.
Procedures
Total =10 pts.
Data/
Observations
Total =25 pts.
Analysis
Total =20 pts.
Conclusions
Total =20 pts.
Unsatisfactory
Borderline
Satisfactory
Excellent
Missing more than two
items, title, or names.
Contains title and all
names; but two items are
missing.
Contains tile and names,
but one item is missing.
Contains title, author and
partners’ names, course
name, experiment number;
and report dates.
0-2 points
No Theory, or incomplete
theory and purpose/or
incomplete theory and
purpose .
3 point
Includes adequate
theory and purpose .
4 points
Contains theory and
purpose , but some result
details are missing.
5 points
Contains clear purpose
statement and complete
theory .
8 points
10 points
5 points
0-3 points
Incomplete or missing
equipment(s) used .
Clearly states the
equipment(s) used
10 points
0-4 points
Unclear or missing
instructions. Most steps
are missing, incomeplete, disorganized, or not
sequential.
Vague instructions.
Some steps missing, not
well organized, or not
fully sequential.
Includes a clear set of
instructions. A few steps
are missing. Reasonably
well organized.
In clear, concise sentences
with step-by-step format.
Experiment can be
replicated. Includes
materials in methods..
0-4 points
Data is missing,
incomplete, inaccurate, or
has material defects;
No data tables when
appropriate. Missing
graphs. Most or all
observations missing.
Incomplete or no
calculations. Few
questions answered.
6 points
Data presented, but
poorly organized,
inaccurate, or missing.
Graphs are inaccurate in
data display, incorrectly
or not labeled. Poor or
incomplete observations
Poor or incomplete
calculations. Some
questions answered.
8 points
Data presented clearly and
neatly. Most charts, tables,
diagrams, and graphs
labeled and accurate;
detailed and reasonably
accurate observations.
Most calculations shown
and are correct. Most
questions answered.
10 points
Data presented clearly and
neatly. All charts, tables,
diagrams, and graphs
labeled and accurate.
Appropriate type of
graphing chosen. Detailed
and accurate observations.
Calculations shown and
are correct. All questions
correctly answered.
0-12 points
Explanation of data is
missing, inaccurate, or
not expressed in complete
sentences. Error analysis
incomplete, missing or
wrong.
16 points
Incomplete description
of data; 3 or more
important observations
are missing. Error
analysis is incomplete or
only partially correct.
20 points
Results stated correctly in
complete sentences. No
more than 1 or 2 important
observations are missing.
Error analysis present and
correct.
25 points
Complete description of
what occurred stated in
complete sentences. Data
is used accurately in
reporting/analyzing the
results. Error analysis
present and correct.
0-8 points
Conclusion is missing or
does not fully explain the
objectives of the lab.
Relevant vocabulary
missing. No practical
application given.
Discussion of scientific
principle missing. Only 12 sentences.
12 points
Conclusion explains the
objective, but data is not
used accurately to
support it. Only 2-3
sentences.
15 points
Adequate paragraph of
explanation that includes
supporting evidence with
data, but missing “big
picture”, scientific error,
and/or additional inquiry
suggestions. Good
vocabulary use. Only 4-5
sentences.
20 points
Well written and logical
paragraph of explanation
supported by data that
addresses the objectives,
scientific principles, and
ends with the ‘big picture.
Includes scientific error
and pro-poses inquiry for
un-answered questions
6+ sentences.
0-8 points
12 points
15 points
20 points
TOTAL POINTS OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS ______
Score
Name ________________________________________
Date __________________________
Period _________
The Conservation of Momentum
Find the Lab
In your web browser, go to www.gigaphysics.com, then go to Virtual Labs, and then click
Conservation of Momentum.
If someone else used the computer for this lab before you, click New Experiment. This will
ensure that you have your own unique cart data when you do the experiment.
Part I: Measure the Carts
To find the length of the purple cart, use your mouse to drag the cart over the caliper in the
upper left corner of the lab. Convert the length to the SI unit of meters, then record your result
in the table below. Repeat for the green cart.
Find the masses of the carts by dragging each one in turn over the electronic balance in the
upper right corner. The balance reads in grams, so convert each mass to the SI unit of
kilograms, then record your data.
Mass of purple cart
Length of purple cart
Mass of green cart
Length of green cart
These measurements will stay the same as long as you don’t refresh the screen or click the button to
start a new experiment. If you don’t complete the lab if one sitting and have to load the lab page again,
the lengths and masses will change. If this happens, you will need to measure them again and use the
new values for the remainder of the lab.
Part II: Determine the Carts’ Velocities
Select “same direction” from the Carts’ Direction menu and “inelastic” from the Collision
Behavior menu.
Click Start Carts to put the carts in motion. The red numbers you will soon see tell you how
many seconds it took each cart to pass through that photogate. If you lose track of which
photogate is measuring which cart, notice the purple and green arrows labelling each; a half
purple/half green arrow is used when both carts were stuck together as they passed through.
You can also click Start Carts if you want to watch the collision again.
Record your times in the data table at the top of the next page. Also copy the lengths from
part I. Be sure to add the lengths of the two carts when the carts are stuck together.
Calculate each cart’s velocity and enter it in the table as well.
1
Elapsed time
Length
Velocity
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Carts stuck together after collision
Part III: Calculating Momentum
Use the fact that momentum equals mass times velocity to calculate the momentum of each
cart. Remember to add the masses when the carts are stuck together.
Mass
Velocity (from part II)
Momentum
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Carts stuck together after collision
Calculate the total momentum of the two carts before and after the collision.
Purple cart’s momentum
Green cart’s momentum
--------------------
----------------------
Total momentum
Before collision
After collision
You should find that the total momentum before and after the collision is identical (at least to
within rounding errors.) If you don’t, you should find out what went wrong and correct it before
you complete the next part.
Part IV: The Elastic Collision
This time, set the Carts’ Direction to opposite and the Collision Behavior to elastic. Repeat the
same steps as in part II and III. (The data table is at the top of the next page.)
When you calculate the velocities and momenta, signs matter.
Make sure that carts that are moving to the left have negative
velocities. If you lose track of which direction the carts were
going for each photogate, you have the arrows to help you, and
you can click Start Carts to watch the collision again.
2
Elapsed time
Length
Velocity (with sign!)
Mass
Velocity
Momentum
Purple cart’s momentum
Green cart’s momentum
Total momentum
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
Before collision
After collision
Part V: One More Case
Repeat the experiment once more, this time with any combination of Carts’ Direction and
Collision Behavior you have not used already. Record which settings you use, then complete the
calculations as before.
Carts’ Direction ___________________________
Elapsed time
Collision Behavior _________________________
Length
Velocity (with sign!)
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
3
Mass
Velocity
Momentum
Purple cart’s momentum
Green cart’s momentum
Total momentum
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
Before collision
After collision
Part VI: Conclusions
What did you notice about the total momentum before the collision and the total momentum after
the collision in each of the above cases?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The principle you should have noted in the previous question is called conservation of momentum.
What do you think it means to say something is conserved in the context of physics?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you think there is any combination of conditions in this lab under which momentum would not
have been conserved? Explain your answer.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learning physics? Teaching physics? Check out www.gigaphysics.com.
© 2016, Donovan Harshbarger. All rights reserved. This activity guide may be reproduced for non-profit educational use.
4
Name ________________________________________
Date __________________________
Period _________
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Find the Lab
In your web browser, go to www.gigaphysics.com, then go to Virtual Labs, and then click
Conservation of Momentum.
If someone else used the computer for this lab before you, click New Experiment. This will
ensure that you have your own unique cart data when you do the experiment.
Part I: Measure the Carts
To find the length of the purple cart, use your mouse to drag the cart over the caliper in the
upper left corner of the lab. Convert the length to the SI unit of meters, then record it in the
table below. Repeat the procedure for the green cart.
Find the masses of the carts by dragging each one in turn over the electronic balance in the
upper right corner. The balance reads in grams, so convert each mass to the SI unit of
kilograms, then record your data.
Mass of purple cart
Length of purple cart
Mass of green cart
Length of green cart
These measurements will stay the same as long as you don’t refresh the screen or click the button to
start a new experiment. If you don’t complete the lab if one sitting and have to load the lab page again,
the lengths and masses will change. If this happens, you will need to measure them again and use the
new values for the remainder of the lab.
Part II: Determine the Carts’ Velocities (Inelastic Case)
Select “same direction” from the Carts’ Direction menu and “inelastic” from the Collision
Behavior menu.
Click Start Carts to put the carts in motion. The red numbers you will soon see tell you how
many seconds it took each cart to pass through that photogate. If you lose track of which
photogate is measuring which cart, notice the purple and green arrows labelling each; a half
purple/half green arrow is used when both carts were stuck together as they passed through.
You can also click Start Carts if you want to watch the collision again.
Record your times in the data table at the top of the next page. Also copy the lengths from
part I. Be sure to add the lengths of the two carts when the carts are stuck together.
Calculate each cart’s velocity and enter it in the table as well.
1
Elapsed time
Length
Velocity
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Carts stuck together after collision
Part III: Calculating Momentum and Kinetic Energy
Calculate the momentum and kinetic energy for each cart, using the masses from part I and the
velocities from part II. Remember to add the carts’ masses when the carts are stuck together.
Mass
Velocity
Momentum
Kinetic energy
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Carts stuck together after collision
Now add the results for the purple and green carts to determine the total momentum and
kinetic energy before the collision. Your total after the collision is the same as you just
calculated for the carts when they were stuck together, since there is nothing else to add.
Total momentum
Total kinetic energy
Before collision
After collision
Part IV: Compare the Elastic Case
Change the Collision Behavior to elastic and repeat the steps from parts II and III.
Elapsed time
Length
Velocity
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
2
Mass
Velocity
Momentum
Kinetic energy
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Green cart after collision
Total momentum
Total kinetic energy
Before collision
After collision
Part V: The Partially Elastic Case
Repeat the experiment once more, this time with Collision Behavior set to partially elastic.
Elapsed time
Length
Velocity
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Purple cart before collision
Mass
Velocity
Momentum
Kinetic energy
Purple cart before collision
Green cart before collision
Purple cart after collision
Green cart after collision
Total momentum
Total kinetic energy
Before collision
After collision
3
Part VI: Draw Conclusions
Remember that when physicists say that something is conserved, they mean that it can never be
created or destroyed. In other words, if something is conserved, then there is the same amount at
the end of a process as there was at the beginning.
Using this definition and your calculations from the lab, fill in the chart below.
Is momentum conserved?
Is kinetic energy conserved?
Inelastic collision
Elastic collision
Summarize your conclusions by filling in the blanks in the sentence below.
____________________ is conserved in all kinds of collisions, whether elastic or
inelastic, but _____________________ is conserved only in elastic collisions.
Based on your results from part V, should a partially elastic collision be considered to be elastic or
inelastic for purposes of predicting which quantities will be conserved?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suppose that you wanted to use either conservation of momentum or conservation of kinetic
energy to predict the outcome when a large car collides with a smaller car in a demolition derby.
Which of the two quantities would be more appropriate for your calculation? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learning physics? Teaching physics? Check out www.gigaphysics.com.
© 2016, Donovan Harshbarger. All rights reserved. This activity guide may be reproduced for non-profit educational use.
4
Name:_________________________________
Class: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________
Adding Vectors Graphically and Component Method
To learn how to add vectors graphically and component method and compare with
expected resultant vector.
Equipment
1. protractor
2. ruler
3. pencil
4. paper
Theory
DEF: A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
DEF: A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude but NO direction.
Ex.
Vectors
Force
Velocity
Displacement
Acceleration
Ex.
Scalars
Temperature
Time
Mass
Speed
Vector Notation
A – Boldface letters
⃑ - Arrow above letter
| |
– Magnitude of vector A
A vector is defined graphically by an arrow whose length is proportional to the magnitude of the
vector quantity. The direction of the arrow points in the direction of the vector quantity.
Adding Vectors Graphically
Consider adding two vectors A and B graphically. The two vectors are shown below.
1. Select an appropriate scale. (Ex. 20 cm = 5 N)
2. Draw vector A to scale and in the proper direction.
3. Draw vector B to the same scale with its tail at the tip of A and in the proper direction.
4. The resultant vector R = A + B is the vector drawn from the tail of vector A to the tip of vector B.
5. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant vector R using the selected scale and measure its
direction with a protractor.
6. This same process applies if you add more than two vectors.
This method of adding vectors graphically is also referred to as the
i.
head-to-tail method,
ii.
analytical method, and
iii.
geometric method.
Example
A physics student realizes that class was to start soon, the student dashes 2.0 km due east,
then 1.0 km at 45o north of east, and finally 0.5 km due north. Calculate the displacement of the
student.
Scale: 50cm = 2 km
ANS: R ≈ 2.98 km, θ ≈ 24o
Adding Vectors Using Component Method
Consider adding three 2-D vectors A, B, and C:
A = Axx+ Ayy
B = Bxx + Byy
C = Cxx + Cyy
1. Add the x-components and y-components of each vector to obtain the resultant vector R in
unit vector notation.
R = A + B + C = (Axx+ Ayy) + (Bxx + Byy) + (Cxx + Cyy)
R = (Ax + Bx + Cx) x + (Ay + By + Cy) y
Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx
Ry = Ay + By + Cy
R = Rx x + Ry y
2. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant vector R
.
√
4.
Same procedure applies if you add more than 3 vectors. However, if the vectors
are 3D, then you must specify the direction of the resultant vector R relative to
the positive x, y, and z axis.
Procedure
Exercise 1
1. A car travels 20 mi at 600 north of west, then 35 mi at 45o north of east.
2. Express each displacement vector in unit vector notation. Take the +x-axis due east and the
+y-axis due north.
3. Use the component method to obtain the resultant displacement vector in unit vector
notation. Calculate the magnitude and direction.
4. Add the displacements vectors graphically using an appropriate scale and coordinate
system. Obtain the resultant vector and calculate the magnitude and direction.
5. Calculate the % error between the graphical and component method. Take the component
method to be the expected value.[
Exercise 2
1. Suppose a particle is acted on by the following three forces:
F1=m1g @ 30o (m1 = 300 gr)
F2=m2g @ 110o (m2 = 450 gr)
F3=m1g @ 230o (m3 = 400 gr)
Calculate the force
particle
1
2
3
mass
gravity
Force
Direction
Finding resultant force using Component Method
1. Express each force F1, F2, and F3 in unit vector notation. Take the origin to be at the center of
the force table (at pivot point) with the +x axis along 0o and +y-axis along 90o.
2. Use the component method to obtain the resultant force vector Fcomp in unit
vector notation. Calculate the magnitude and direction.
Finding resultant force using Graphically
1. Add the vectors F1, F2 and F3 graphically using an appropriate scale and coordinate system.
2. Obtain the resultant vector Fgrap. Calculate the magnitude and direction.
3. Calculate the % error between the graphical method, component method.
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