Terminal Velocity Lab

Task

Explore and report on the relationship between the terminal velocity of falling coffee filters and the mass of those filters.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the forces that affect the falling coffee filters.

Product

All findings for this lab need to be in a report. It must contain the following parts:

An introduction that explains the variables that you will be examining and the ones that you hope to control. This part should include your prediction of what you think the relationship will be like.
A materials and procedure portion that describes the way you are collecting data and the equipment that will be used. A good rule for this is that it should be written in a way that anyone could find the data without any help.
A data table that includes all of the values collected in the lab to the proper number of significant figures for the tools that are used. Multiple trials should be used to limit the possible errors.
A calculations table and graph of the variables. The way each calculation is performed is displayed. If it is done multiple times, only one needs to be shown. This is useful to show the relationship between the variables and should be cited in the discussion. All data and calculations can be done in a spreadsheet and hyperlinked into the report.
A discussion on the free body diagrams that explain the forces involved with the falling coffee filters.
A discussion on the relationship between the variables.
A discussion on the process used and the possible acceptable error associated with it.

Scoring Rubric:

Section	Poor	Fair	Excellent
Introduction ____ 5 pts	Introduction includes the variables being tested. May be not be written well.	Introduction includes the variables that are being tested and the prediction. May be missing the control variables.	Introduction is complete. Includes all possible variables, both tested and control and has the prediction between them. It is well written.
Materials & Procedure ____ 5 pts	Lacking in the details to collect the data or the equipment required. Would not be able to follow without help.	Written with detail. Includes all equipment needed to collect data. May need some help or questions answered to follow.	Written with great detail. It includes all possible equipment needed to collect the data. Can be followed without help or questions.
Data Table ____ 5 pts	Data is not measured to the proper significant figures and there are not enough trials to limit the error. May be missing or incorrect units for columns.	Data is measured to the proper significant figures for the equipment used. Trials are limited. Columns are labeled with correct units.	Data is measured to the proper significant figures for the equipment used. Multiple trials are recorded to limit the error. Columns are labeled with correct units.
Calculations & Graph ____ 10 pts	Missing the display of the calculations. Columns may be missing the proper labels and the graph may be improperly labeled as well.	Missing the display of the calculations. Calculated columns have correct labels. Graph is labeled properly.	All different calculations are shown. Calculated columns have the correct labels and proper significant figures. Graph is labeled properly.
FBD Discussion ____ 5 pts	FBD are drawn for at least the filter falling before terminal velocity and after terminal velocity. Forces are labeled.	FBD are drawn for all phases of the coffee filter falling. Includes labeling of forces but may be off on magnitudes.	Proper FBD are drawn for all phases of the coffee filter falling. This includes labeling the forces and appropriate magnitudes.
Relationship Discussion ____ 5 pts	A connection is made between the variables and the graph.	Connections are made between the variables and the graph. May be some errors in the math models that are explored.	Connections are made between the variables and the graph. Possible math models are explored. No errors are present in the writing.
Error Discussion ____ 5 pts	The process is evaluated for acceptable error. Individual trials are loosely connected to the possible error and the lab procedure.	The process is evaluated for acceptable error. Individual trials are cited but may not be connected well to the possible error and the lab procedure. Human error is not cited.	The process is evaluated for acceptable error. Individual trials are cited in connection to the possible error and the lab procedure. Thoughts are well connected. Human error is not cited.

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