Gold Seal Lesson:
Using A Spring To Determine Mass

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

9-12

ICLE Standards:

Physics:  Understand oscillating objects.

Algebra:  Interpret real situations graphically. Use periodic functions.

Technology: Use Computer Based Laboratory.

Performance Task:

Use the Computer Based Laboratory (CBL) and the motion detector to measure the movement of a known mass as it oscillates at the bottom of a spring.  Hang an unknown mass from the same spring and measure its motion.  Use this formula to determine the unknown mass:

T  =  2 p  Ö  M/k  where T is period, M is mass; k is the force constant for a particular spring.

Find the mass by direct measurement.  What is your percent of error?  How could you improve your accuracy?

Knowledge / Skills:

Know how to obtain accuracy and precision using common measuring devices.  S.33

Know how to determine percent error wherever applicable.  S.92

Rubric:

4 POINTS:  Student is able to determine the unknown mass without help and justify his conclusion.  He includes a discussion of ways to improve the accuracy of his results.

3 POINTS:   Student needs help to find the period of the function.  Student has only one suggestion to improve accuracy.

2 POINTS:  Student needs help with the algebra of the problem.  Student cannot tell any ways to improve his/her accuracy.

1  POINT:   Even with help, student does not get very close to the mass of the object and cannot explain any way to get closer.

Keywords:

PHYSICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

CHEMISTRY
LAB EXPERIMENTS

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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