EMU-APPENDIX
NSTA Data Experiment 1
in PHY 223
Description
The following page contains data from the first experiment for the last 250 students from the
introductory course Phy 223: Mechanics, Sound, & Heat.
The experiment concerns the measurement process and the analysis of experimental data. In
this experiment the students use different measuring devices (with different levels of accuracy)
to determine the density of aluminum. The data they collect is analyzed and compared to the
currently accepted value. The analysis includes a careful accounting of the significant figures in
their measurements, the experimental error in their measurements, and the propagation of this
error as they use their measurements to calculate other quantities.
This assignment pertains most directly to standard IV. 1 which states, "All students will
measure and describe the things around us..."
Scoring
The students are required to write formal laboratory reports which contains the following
parts:
(a) cover page with abstract
(b) introduction
(c) results and
interpretation (d)
conclusion
The laboratory report is scored out of a maximum of 10 points. The scoring criteria are as
follows:
• The students receive 4 of the 10 points for participating in the hands-on aspect of
the experiment and a zero on the entire experiment if they did not participate.
• The quality of the abstract (and cover page) is worth up to 3/4 points.
• The quality of the introduction is worth up to 1 point.
• The accuracy of their analysis and quality of how the analysis is presented in the
report is worth up to 3 points.
• The quality and pertinence of their conclusions is worth up to 1.25 points.
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