Gold Seal Lesson:
Using A Spectrophotometer

Copernicus Education Gateway

 

Subject:

Science

Grade:

 

 

9-12

 

 

ICLE Standards:

 

 

Science as Inquiry: Understand the nature of scientific inquiry; apply methods of inquiry needed to conduct research; draw conclusions and communicate and apply findings.

 

 

Performance Task:

 

 

Note to the teacher: For this task each group of students needs a spectrophotometer and a user's manual. Each group will be given a solution of Cr(NO 3 ) 3 , but will not be given the concentration of that solution.

For this task, you are to work in groups of three. You will be given a spectrophotometer and a user's manual. Your first task is to use the manual to determine how a spectrophotometer works and how it is used. When your group knows how to use the spectrophotometer properly, take a sample of the provided solution of Cr(NO 3 ) 3 and use the spectrophotometer to find its concentration. Write a brief report of your procedure, stating the appropriate wavelength you used. Give an explanation of why your group chose this wavelength. In your report, tell what you found to be the concentration of your given solution of Cr(NO 3).

 

 

Knowledge / Skills:

 

 

Know and apply the principles of scientific inquiry.  (s114)

Make observations of the local environment using senses and instruments. Inferences and interpretations are arrived at based on observations. Classify observable properties and organize observations in a meaningful and logical way.  (s5)

Know methods of indicating concentrations of solutions (e.g., compute the molarity of a solution).  (s110)

Apply the information gathered from technical texts in real-life situations.  (ela35)

Use expository writing skills in subjects other than English language arts.  (ela58)

 

 

Rubric:

 

 

Score each of the following components of the task on a scale of 4 to 1, where 

  • 4 = exemplary performance;

  • 3 = good performance; 

  • 2 = satisfactory, but minimum performance; 

  • 1 = inadequate performance

_____ Demonstrated understanding of scientific inquiry.
_____ Understanding the purpose and use of a spectrophotometer.
_____ Ability to use spectrophotometer to find the concentration of an unknown solution.
_____ Quality of report, including:

  1. information contained in report;

  2. completeness of report;

  3. clarity of report;

  4. organization of report;

  5. use of the English language;

  6. justification of wavelength used.

_____ Data obtained supports the chosen wavelength.
_____ Experimental data at chosen wavelength correctly identifies 
          concentration of the unknown solution.
_____ Cooperativeness as a member of a team.
_____ Works in a timely fashion.

 

 

Keywords:

 

 

PHYSICS
SCIENTIFIC PROCESS
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

CHEMISTRY
LAB EXPERIMENTS
SOLUTIONS
EXPOSITION

 

 

Grades:

 

 

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [X] - 10 [X] - 11 [X] - 12 [X]

 

 

ICLE Application:

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

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