Unit 0 Topic: AP Labs Learning Targets: N/A
Labs and AP It is a curricular requirement that you keep and maintain a lab notebook or journal One of the five free response questions will be a lab based question It is a curricular requirement that we spend approximately 25% of class time in lab Labs must include, but are not limited to “Guided Inquiry” and “Open Inquiry”
Lab Questions on AP Test Given a data set, graph data, analyze data, derive a relationship based on data, answer questions Given a task and specific materials design a lab and create a procedure to complete the task Given a task and a list of equipment choose what you want to use, design a lab and create a procedure to complete the task Lab questions will frequently ask you to explain/justify. You will need to be able to discuss the impact of errors and uncertainty
Types of Labs Confirmation: Performing a predetermined procedure with set lab equipment to confirm a principal through an activity in which the results are known in advance (example: performing a lab to calculate the acceleration due to gravity) Structured Inquiry: Performing a predetermined procedure with set lab equipment to investigate a teacher presented question (example: performing a lab to determine where a projectile will land) Guided Inquiry: Performing a student designed procedure with set lab equipment (or choose from a list) to investigate a teacher presented question (Example: Design a Lab to determine the velocity of a car) Open Inquiry: Performing a student designed procedure with set lab equipment (or chose from a list) to investigate “topic related” questions (Example: Design a Lab to determine the variation of acceleration in two scenarios...)
Graphical Analysis in Labs Oftentimes we want our data to be linear (slope of line may lead to a “constant” The axis might be simple values (position vs. time) The axis might have complex values (T 2 vs mass) Must set up graph following graphing rules (best practices)
Errors and Error Analysis Errors discussed in a sources of error section are errors in data collection (NOT MATH ERRORS) If we are performing a “confirmation” lab using percent error will be a way we analyze error Uncertainty with measurements can also be included in error analysis
Lab Submission Labs can be turned in electronically or via paper Labs will be due 2 school days after lab is performed (ex: lab performed on Monday, lab due Wednesday) Labs will be graded via scoring rubric. You need to save your labs to create a lab notebook. This can be used to help secure college credit if you get a qualifying score on the AP Exam. Late labs will be dealt with on a case by case basis