BARTLESVILLE SCHOOLS - SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
9th Grade Physical Science Core Lab Summaries
Revised Fall 2009
ACTIVITY 1
Investigations and Experiments – CPO Inv. 1.2
PURPOSE:
How do we ask questions and get answers from nature?
(Course Objective 1: A. Scientific Method)
EQUIPMENT:
2 photogates, electronic timer, ramp, car
SUMMARY:
Students use an electronic timer, and photogates are used with a car
and ramp to identify variables that influence the speed of the car.
Students design experiments that provide good scientific results.
SAFETY:
Standard Operating Procedures -- *SOP
ACTIVITY 2
Using a Scientific Model to Predict Speed – CPO Inv. 2.1
PURPOSE:
To predict the speed by using a graph.
To calculate percent error.
(Course Objective 1: B. SI)
EQUIPMENT:
2 photogates, electronic timer, calculator, ramp, car
SUMMARY:
Students construct a graph from collected speed data and use results to
make predictions.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY 3
Force, Mass, and Acceleration – CPO Inv. 3.1
PURPOSE:
To measure force on a car as it’s in motion.
Compare changes in force as the angle of the ramp is manipulated.
Calculate acceleration.
Derive Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
(Course Objective 5: B. Laws of Motion)
EQUIPMENT:
2 photogates, electronic timer, calculator, ramp, car and weights,
string, spring scale
SUMMARY:
Students use a ramp and car to measure force, calculate acceleration,
construct graphs, and derive Newton’s Second Law of motion.
SAFETY:
*SOP
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
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ACTIVITY 4
Energy Conservation – CPO Inv. 5.2
PURPOSE:
Determine relationship between speed and height on a roller coaster.
Describe how energy is conserved on a roller coaster.
(Course Objective 6: A. Energy Types)
EQUIPMENT:
1 photogate, electronic timer, roller coaster ramp, 1 marble
SUMMARY:
Students will measure speed for varying heights of a roller coaster
and determine how energy is conserved.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY 5
Conductors and Insulators
PURPOSE:
To determine which materials are insulators and which materials are
conductors.
(Course Objective 6: D. Electricity)
EQUIPMENT:
Dry cell (6V)
3 connecting wires
1.5 V lamp w/ socket
Samples: dime (silver), nickel, penny (copper), pencil lead (carbon),
cloth, aluminum foil, paper clip, rubber, paper, plastic, glass, wood,
and wax.
SUMMARY:
Students will identify which materials are insulators and which ones
are conductors through the use of an electric circuit.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY 6
More Electric Circuits – CPO Inv 9.1
PURPOSE:
To build and compare series and parallel circuits.
(Course Objective 6: D. Electricity)
EQUIPMENT:
2 dry cells, 2 bulbs, 6 connecting wires, 2 cell holders, 2 bulb holders
SUMMARY:
Students will build and compare series and parallel circuits, and
apply knowledge to a real life situation.
SAFETY:
Electrical Hazards using dry cells.
ACTIVITY 7
Harmonic Motion – CPO Inv. 11.1 *Pendulum Lab
PURPOSE:
To measure the amplitude and period of a pendulum.
Determine how to change the properties and change of a pendulum.
(Course Objective 6: B. Waves)
EQUIPMENT:
Pendulum stand and knob, pendulum bob, electronic timer, pendulum
hanger, 1 photogate
SUMMARY
Students will setup a pendulum, test the effect of three variables, and
graphically analyze collected data.
SAFETY:
*SOP
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
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ACTIVITY 8
Natural Frequency & Resonance – CPO Inv. 12.3
PURPOSE:
To create standing waves on a vibrating string and learn about
resonance.
(Course Objective 6: B. Waves)
EQUIPMENT:
elastic cord, electronic timer, waves generator, fiddle head, wiggler
SUMMARY:
Students will create wave pulses (harmonics) on an elastic cord. They
will measure the wavelengths and frequencies of each.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY
9
Introduction to Sound – CPO Inv. 13.1
PURPOSE:
To learn the range of human hearing and design a double-blind
experiment.
(Course Objective 6: B. Waves)
EQUIPMENT:
Electronic timer, 2 sound generators, 2 speakers
SUMMARY: Students will test the frequency limit of the ear, design a double-blind
experiment, and test human ability to distinguish differences in
frequency.
SAFETY:
*SOP; ensure that sound intensity remains at safe levels.
ACTIVITY
10
Introduction to Light – CPO 14.2
*Note: This lab is a combination of 14.1 & 14.2
PURPOSE:
To make and study light. In addition, to investigate what happens when
you mix different colors of light.
(Course Objective 6: B. Waves)
EQUIPMENT:
Photoluminescent material, 2 polarizers, diffraction glasses, varying light
sources, spring, notecard, 3 LED’s (red, blue, and green filters), white
box-screen
SUMMARY:
Students observe the effects of light on glow-in-the-dark material,
examine colors of light using diffraction grating glasses, and
demonstrate the polarization of light. In addition, students will witness
the mixing of different color combinations and examine the effects of
color filters on white light.
SAFETY:
*SOP
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
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ACTIVITY 11
Laboratory Techniques Performance
PURPOSE:
To gain experience in proper use of laboratory equipment and
techniques.
(Course Objective 2: Laboratory Safety)
EQUIPMENT:
*Supplies are per
class, not per group!
Bunsen burner, balance, scoopula, Flint striker, weighing boat, test
tube, ring stand and clamp, coin, acid, 4 beakers, water *colored
H2O,
4 stirring rods, thermometer, funnel, graduated cylinder, filter paper,
metric ruler, clay triangle, 2 reagent bottles
SUMMARY:
Students will rotate through a series of lab stations to practice using
a Bunsen burner, decanting and filtering, using a balance, measuring
temperature, measuring volume, transferring chemicals, wafting and
diluting acids.
SAFETY:
Goggles
Aprons
ACTIVITY 12
Standard flame precautions
Standard glassware safety
Chemical safety
Separation of Mixtures
PURPOSE:
To separate a heterogeneous mixture based on physical properties
and determine the mass of each component.
(Course Objective 3: D. Composition of Matter)
EQUIPMENT:
mixture of sand, salt, and Fe filings, 2 evaporating dishes,
filtrating and decanting equipment, 2 watch glasses, magnet, burner
apparatus, kleenex or paper towel, deionized water, weighing boats,
rubber policeman, calculator, sharpie marker
SUMMARY:
Students will work as a team to design an experiment to separate the
components of a heterogeneous mixture, determine the masses of
each component, and calculate the percent error of the masses.
SAFETY:
Goggles
Aprons
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
Standard flame precautions
Standard glassware safety
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ACTIVITY 13
Density Column
PURPOSE:
To use a device called a density column to investigate the relative
densities of various fluids and solids.
(Course Objective 3: C. Characteristic Properties)
EQUIPMENT:
Alcohol
Vegetable oil
Water
Shampoo
Detergent
Corn syrup
Brown corn syrup
Penny
SUMMARY:
Students will determine the relative densities of various fluids and
solids using a density column.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY 14
Dime
Paper clip
Rubber
Cork
Wood
Plastic
Graduated cylinder
States of Matter – CPO Inv. 16.3
PURPOSE:
Observe the rate at which water changes from a solid to a liquid
and analyze the transfer of energy which occurs when a substance
undergoes a change of state.
(Course Objective 3: C. Characteristic Properties)
EQUIPMENT:
Zipper-lock sandwich bag, Ice cube, 150 mL beaker, 400 mL
beaker, Thermometer, Stopwatch, Crushed ice
SUMMARY:
Students will determine the rate at which water changes from a
solid to a liquid as well as measure the average kinetic energy of
water as it changes from a solid to a liquid.
SAFETY:
*SOP
ACTIVITY 15
Comparing Molecules – CPO Inv. 19.3 * Nuts and Bolts
PURPOSE:
Use nuts and bolts to model various combinations of atoms,
determine percent composition of compounds, and determine
chemical formulas.
(Course Objective 4: Chemical Reactions)
EQUIPMENT:
One set of nuts and bolts, balance, calculator
SUMMARY:
Students will find the masses of individual “atoms,” and determine
empirical and molecular formulas.
SAFETY:
*SOP
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
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ACTIVITY
16
Chemical Changes – CPO 20.1
PURPOSE:
To recognize evidence of a whether or not a chemical change has
occurred.
(Course Objective 4: Chemical Reactions)
EQUIPMENT:
Epsom salt, ammonia solution, baggies, Glow stick, red cabbage juice,
potato slice, Calcium chloride, heat packs, vinegar, Hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2), baking soda
SUMMARY:
Students will carry out and observe a series of chemical reactions. They
will then develop a set of rules for determining the occurrence of
chemical changes.
SAFETY:
Goggles
Aprons
9th Grade Physical Science Lab Summaries
*NOTE: Beware of chemical vapors!
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