Pre-AP Chemistry: Lab Report Rubric
Far Below Expectations
0 points
Below Expectations
1 to 2 points
1.
Heading,
Neatness, &
Organization
The lab report fails to meet two or
more of the expectations for neatness,
organization, name, title, and date.
The lab report fails to meet one of the
expectations for neatness, organization,
name, title, and date.
2.
Objective(s)
Objectives are missing, or only loosely
related to the lab being performed.
3.
Concept(s)
Concepts are missing, or only loosely
related to the lab being performed.
4.
Materials Used
5.
Safety
6.
Procedure
7.
Data and
Calculations
8.
Analysis
[5 points]
The objectives address the procedural
aspects of the lab, but do not accurately
summarize the theoretical foundation of
the experiment.
The concepts address the procedural
aspects of the lab, but do not accurately
summarize the theoretical foundation of
the experiment.
Objectives accurately describe the purpose for doing the lab.
Concepts (theories, laws) illustrated in the lab are thoroughly
explained using clear examples.
Materials list is missing.
Materials list is incomplete.
All materials used are listed.
MSDS links missing.
MSDS links incomplete.
Links to all MSDS included.
Procedure (lab handout) is missing
entirely.
Procedure (lab handout) has missing
parts.
Procedure is included with the report.
The data section is missing.
The data section is incomplete.
The student does not answer the
questions or makes significant errors
to making the answers
incomprehensible.
[0 to 1 point]
The student makes multiple errors or
incorrect statements in answers.
[2 to 3 points]
Discussion & Conclusion is present, and
does not conflict with the student’s
experimental findings, but fails to fully
address reasons for error.
[4 to 7 points]
Formal Lab Report (See Above Rubric, Submitted via Turnitin.com)
9.
Discussion &
Conclusion
[9 points]
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
3 points
1. The lab report is clearly typed.
2. The sections are in correct order, clearly labeled, and
presented in a professional manner
3. No spelling/grammatical errors in the report (scientific
words will get the greatest focus)
Discussion & Conclusion is missing, or
is in conflict with the student’s
experimental results.
[0 to 3 points]
1. All data from experiments in included.
2. Data is neatly organized (in tables or graphs
where appropriate), and is easy to interpret.
3. All data is correct with regard to significant
figures and labels/units.
(Calculations only need to be included for one trial)
All analysis questions are answered fully and correctly.
[4 to 5 points]
The Discussion & Conclusion succinctly describes what can be
concluded from the experimental results, possible sources of
error, and also describes what would be expected if the
experimental data were different.
[8 to 9 points]
Total Score
______/35
Examples: The following table gives examples of laboratory answers for a “Density of Salt Solutions” lab.
1.
Heading,
Neatness, &
Organization
2.
Objective(s)
Below Expectations
1 to 2 points
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
3 points
“Salt Solution Density Lab”
Lab 1: “Determination of the Relationship Between the
Density and Concentration of Sodium Chloride Solutions”
August 29th, 2013
Patrick Boylan
“The purpose of the lab is to learn to find the density of
salt solutions.”
“Density is defined as mass divided by volume.”
3.
Concept(s)
4.
Materials Used
5.
Safety
6.
Procedures
“Density tells us how much matter is in a given space. Likewise, concentration tells us how much
matter is present in a certain amount of another substance, such as how many moles of solute are
in 1 liter of solution (molarity) or how many grams of solute are in 100 grams of solution (mass %).
Because density and concentration both measure how compact a sample of matter is, we expect
to see a direct relationship between them.
Self-explanatory
Self-explanatory
Self-explanatory
7.
Experimental
Data
5% solution = 10.012 g
10% solution = 10.180 g
15% solution = 10.230 g
8.
Analysis
Density = 10.012 g/10.00 mL = 1.0012 g/mL (significant figures
error)
Density = 10.012/10.00 = 1.001 g/mL
(units not present in calculation)
“We demonstrated that it is possible to measure the densities of
solutions, and to find the concentrations of unknowns.”
9.
Discussion &
Conclusion
“The purpose of the lab is to develop a mathematical model relating the concentration of a
solution to its density, and to use this model to determine the concentration of solutions of
unknown concentration from their densities.”
Concentration of NaCl solution
Mass of solution (g)
5%
10%
15%
10.012
10.180
10.230
Density = m/V (fundamental equation shown)
Density = 10.012 g/10.00 mL = 1.001 g/mL (units present throughout calculation,
significant figures rules observed)
“We demonstrated that a linear relationship exists between the density and concentration of
sodium chloride solutions, and that the relationship can be used to make predictions about the
properties of solutions of unknown concentration.”
“We showed that as the concentration of a solution increases,
the density of the solution also increases linearly. Our data
supports this conclusion. The purpose of the lab was fulfilled.”
“As the concentration of a solution increases, the density of the solution increases in linear
fashion. Our data supports this concept. The purpose of the lab was fulfilled when we were able to
use the mathematical model for this linear relationship to predict the concentration of solutions of
unknown concentration based on their densities.”
“However, we failed to take into account the mass of the
graduated cylinder when finding the mass of the solutions.”
“However, we failed to take into account the mass of the graduated cylinder when finding the
mass of the solutions. As a result, the mass of each solution was too high, and the resulting
density was also too large.”