Density of Pennies Lab and a Movie

Remember, the write-up for the Density of Pennies lab is due at the beginning of class on Monday, 8/30/2010. It must be either written out neatly or typed (just a hint, typing pleases me and I may be kinder when grading). Please follow the seven step format of the Formal Lab Report sheet that you were given last Thursday. Please look over the pointers that I have bulleted below:

• We have covered the Purpose and Theory statements in class, so I am not going to address those points again.
• Be short and to the point on your procedure. The following is a good example of the amount of detail that you should include for a particular step. "Found the mass of pennies and weighing dish to the 1/1000 of a gram. Repeated this step for both categories of pennies."
• The Data Table should easy to follow and include all units of measurement. Do not perform calculations (other than a final measurement being subtracted from an initial measurement) in the data table.
• Sources of Experimental Error (SEE's) should address matters of procedure or technique that may cause measured values to be slightly inaccurate. These need to well developed ideas, so a paragraph may be needed to completely explain an event that would cause error to be introduced into measurements taken during the lab. You could have multiple SEE's associated with a lab.
• Your Conclusion MUST address if the Theory used was able to achieve the Purpose. An example could be: "The densities for both penny categories only differed by one tenth of a gram per milliliter. Do to uncertainty of measurement, I do not feel that it is proper to declare that there is a definite difference in how the pennies were manufactured (minted) prior to 1982 and after 1982." Also remember, you must always include a statement on how you would improve the lab if given the chance to do it again.

Please click on the link Density Lab. I have made a Vodcast (not Podcast) of a fictitious scenario that will hopefully illustrate to you an emphasis that I made to you about having as large sample as possible. The Vodcast also addresses points to the write-up. It is hosted on a website called "TeacherTube". You may have to sign up for "TeacherTube" prior to watching the video. Please be prepared to answer questions (maybe in the form of a quiz) that relate to the lab on Monday. Have a good weekend.