In this class challenge you are to estimate the value of absolute zero. The basic procedure is to heat an open flask of air in boiling water until the air is heated. The flask is then removed from the water bath and quickly submerged upside down into an ice water bath until the air has cooled. If the temperature and the volume of air in the flask is measured at each temperature, you can use your data to extrapolate the value of absolute zero (in °C).
You will present this to me orally. Be prepared to discuss the validity of your answer (the appropriateness of your procedure and the accuracy of your results) and the reliability of your answer in terms of both instrumental precision (i.e. accumulated error) and experimental precision (i.e. variation within the class). The presentation should be targeted towards students in this class. I also expect a poster presentation for the hall that will explain this challenge: it is to be targeted towards student or staff passers-by who may not yet have taken chemistry. All students are required to take part in the data collection, in some part of the analysis , and in some part of either the oral or poster presentations.
This challenge is worth 20 points for the class oral presentation & hall display, and 10 points for an individual lab book data check. Your lab book needs to have the procedure, team data and calculations, and a reflection on all the prompts given below.
1. What was the the most positive moment in this challenge?
2. What is the most important thing you would change about this challenge if you could redo it?
3. What grade should the class receive for the oral presentation? the poster?
Absolute Zero Estimation Rubric
A The presentation exceeded the class standards in creativity, clarity of communications, or depth of understanding of the topic. This is exemplary work.
B The class met the participation requirements. Both the hall poster and oral presentation were complete (goal, methods, results, validity & reliability), accurate, and organized. The poster display clearly communicates the basics of this challenge to passersby at an appropriate level. The oral presentation clearly communicated this challenge to peers.
C Most of the standards were met fully, but not all. The class showed partial understanding of the challenge.
D The presentations showed some evidence of quality work, but most of the standards were not met.
F The presentations demonstrated little or no understanding of the task or the presentation standards.
0 No presentation was made.
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