1. Performance Task Development Worksheet
Class:Physics Unit:Scientific Inquiry Task Title:Surface Tension
Thinking about the Standard:
This task focuses on Scientific Inquiry, but also contains issues concerning problem solving and communication skills.
S21: Identify testable questions and form hypotheses based on observations.
S22: Design and conduct experiments to answer questions and verify hypotheses.
S23: Analyze data collected from an investigation, draw conclusions and explain results.
S24: Communicate and defend findings using scientific arguments. (M14,M15,M16,M17,L8, & L10)
Thinking about the Context:
Thinking about the Performance:
standard
Contextual applications using surface
tension.
Unique properties of water.
Water Skiing
Diving
Surface Tension and Soap bubbles
Teeter totters
Demonstrate the ability to build device
to adjust and test in order to look at a
variety of variables. By adjusting the
different variables (one at a time), the
student will be able to demonstrate gains
in understanding of surface tension and
the forces involved in the behavior of the
device itself.
Data will be recorded in Tabular form
product
context
performance
Thinking about the Product:
Thinking about the Scoring Criteria:
Students will write a lab report “using as much math as possible”.
Students will need to decide what information is important to
include in the lab report itself, along with how best to organize the
information in the report. Report should demonstrate conceptual
understanding of the problem, show a variety of ways to solve
problems, explain solutions to problems and explain thinking in
written form.
Content: Conceptual understanding of the problem.
Processes & Strategies: Different ways to solve the problem.
Interpret Results: Explain why solutions make sense.
Communicates Effectively: Explain thinking in writing.
(Scale of 1-6 on all 4 categories): 24 point total.

2. Surface Tension
The cohesive forces between liquid molecules are responsible for the phenomenon known as surface tension. The molecules at the surface do not have other like molecules on all sides of them and consequently they cohere more strongly to those directly associated with them on the surface. This forms a surface "film" which makes it more difficult to move an object through the surface than to move it when it is completely submersed.
Surface tension is typically measured in dynes/cm, the force in dynes required to break a film of length 1 cm. Equivalently, it can be stated as surface energy in ergs per square centimeter. Water at 20°C has a surface tension of 72.8 dynes/cm compared to 22.3 for ethyl alcohol and 465 for mercury.

3. Surface Tension in contact with air - σ 10-2 (N/m)
Surface Tension of Water in Contact with Air - SI units 
Surface Tension of Water in Contact with Air - SI units 
Temperature - t  (oC)
Surface Tension in contact with air - σ   (N/m)
7.56 5
7.49 10
7.42 20
7.28 30
7.12 40
6.96 50
6.79 60
6.62 70
6.44 80
6.26 90
6.08
100
5.89
Temperature - t  (oC)
Surface Tension in contact with air - σ   (N/m)
7.56 5
7.49 10
7.42 20
7.28 30
7.12 40
6.96 50
6.79 60
6.62 70
6.44 80
6.26 90
6.08
100
5.89
Temperature - t  (oC)
Surface Tension in contact with air - σ   (N/m)
7.56 5
7.49 10
7.42 20
7.28 30
7.12 40
6.96 50
6.79 60
6.62 70
6.44 80
6.26 90
6.08
100
5.89

6. R.P.Feynman The Character of the Physical Law
[ There is a]   rhythm and pattern between the phenomena of nature which is not apparent to the eye, but only to the eye of analysis; and it is these rhythms and patterns which we call Physical Laws. 
                  R.P.Feynman           The Character of the Physical Law

9. Basic Skills of Scientific Inquiry
·        Observing
·        Classifying and sequencing
·        Communicating
·        Measuring
·        Predicting
·        Hypothesizing
·        Inferring
·        Defining, controlling, and manipulating variable in experimentation
·        Designing, constructing and interpreting models
·        Interpreting, analyzing and evaluating data

10. Linman's Thinking...

11. Scientific Inquiry: It is all about ATTITUDE !!!
Reading
Writing
Listening
Talking
Feeling
Theory
Relative Structuring
Using Principles
Interpreting
Hypothesizing
Predicting
Using Numbers
Testing
Comparing
Using Verified Facts
Classifying
Using Variables
Interacting
Manipulating
Variables
Abstracting
Generalizing
Making Orderly Relations
Recording
Inferring
Using Observed Facts
Using Intuition
Comparing
Testing
ID of Variables
Guessing
Questioning
Finding Discrepancies
Observing
Perceiving Relevance
Using numbers
Problem
Focus
Experience
Scientific Inquiry: It is all about ATTITUDE !!!

12. Let’s get some SKILLS out of the way…….
And now
Let’s get some SKILLS out of the way…….

13. Topics Simple Algebra/Dimensional Analysis Scientific Notation
Precision vs. Accuracy
The Myth Behind Significant Figures
Math of Significant Figures
Trigonometry
Is your brain full yet????

14. Practice, Practice, Practice
Algebra and Trig problems
Precise and Accurate Sig Figs
Over the next 48 hours see how much you can get done…..all of it?????
Practice makes perfect.