Name: _______________________
Ultraviolet Radiation Lab Assessment
IPS Chemistry
Introduction: To end our first unit on the Chemistry of Energy, we will be investigating a
specific wavelength of radiation that is very relevant to our lives, Ultraviolet Light. Ultraviolet
(UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and man-made
sources like tanning beds and welding torches. There are also different types of UV rays, based
on how much energy they have. Higher-energy UV rays are a form of ionizing radiation. This
means they have enough energy to remove an electron from (ionize) an atom or molecule.
Ionizing radiation can damage the DNA (genes) in cells, which in turn may lead to cancer. But
even the highest-energy UV rays don’t have enough energy to penetrate deeply into the body,
so their main effect is on the skin.
Your goal in this investigation is to set up and execute your own experiment that looks closely at
one aspect of Ultraviolet Radiation and how it interacts with our lives. This lab will take place
over the course of multiple class periods and will reflect the culmination of your work so far this
semester. This investigation will serve as our end of unit assessment, testing you on your
abilities to think and act scientifically.
Timeline:
❏ Part 1: Set up the experiment (In-class)
❏ Create a Guiding Question
❏ Develop a Lab Procedure
❏ Draw your experimental design
❏ Compile a Materials List
❏ Set up your data table for collection
❏ Part 2: Set up the experiment (In-class)
❏ Collect your data
❏ Part 3: Write your investigation report (Start in class, finish at home)
❏ Section 1: Question of the Investigation
❏ Section 2: Description of Methods
❏ Section 3: Arguments
❏ Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning
❏ First draft due Monday Feb 8th (Gold), Tuesday Feb 9th (Purple)
❏ Part 4: Teacher and Peer Feedback
❏ Turn in final investigation report (DUE: Friday, Feb 12th)
The final investigation report will include three sections.The following section describes the
expectations for exemplary work to be found in these three sections.
Section 1: Introduction and Question of the Investigation
Guiding Question:
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CONTROLLED VARIABLES (The things in the experiment that will stay the EXACT same)
MANIPULATED VARIABLE (The ONE thing that will be changed in the experiment)
RESPONDING VARIABLE (What is being measured in length, weight, distance, time,
temperature, etc).
Section 2: Description of Methods
Lab Procedure:
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Materials List:
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Illustration of the Experiment:
Data table:
Section 3: Arguments
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: