PALS - Rubric

Grades 9-12 Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Developed through University of Buffalo and NORC (1991)

Task-Specific Scoring Criteria for Physics Task #5: Electric Circuits

PART A: EXPERIMENT DESIGN

1. Statement of hypothesis	Not required for this task
- Effect linked to variables
- Directionality of effect
- Expected effect/change
- Independent variable
- Dependent variable
2. Procedures for investigation
- Detailed procedure/experimentally feasible	Add voltages across both resistors and multiply by current to determine power dissipated (P = VI)
- Sequence to plan	Ammeter is connected to series with resistors. Voltmeter is connected in parallel
- General strategy	Determine the current in the circuit and the voltages across the two resistors.
- Safety procedures	Close the switch only after the instructor has checked the circuit. Do not touch the leads with the switch closed.
- Use of equipment/diagram	Include both resistors in circuit with battery and switch.
3. Plan for recording and organizing observations/data
- Space for manipulation of data	Space for calculating average values of current V1 and V2 as well as total voltage.
- Matched to plan	Data plan matched procedure as in step 2 above.
- Organized sequentially	Construct a data table with Run 1 and Run 2 columns and rows labeled Current (I), Voltage across one resistor (V1), and Voltage across second resistor (V2).
- Labelled fully (units included)	Current in mA; Voltage in V.
- Variables identified	Current, voltage across each resistor, total resistance

PART B: EXPERIMENT REPORT

4. Quality of observations/data
- Consistent data	Current should remain constant, and Vtotal should equal V1 + V2.
- Accurate measurements/observations	A/V-meter readings to the smallest division of scales.
- Completed data table	All available data recorded.
- Correct units	Current (I) in mA; voltage in V.
- Qualitative description	*
5. Graph	Not required for this task
- Curve is appropriate to data trend
- Points plotted accurately
- Appropriate scale
- Axes labelled with variables
- Variables placed on correct axes
6. Calculations
- Calculated accurately	*
- Substituted correctly into relationship	Calculated values substituted accurately into formula.
- Relationship stated or implied	* (Relationship stated by formula provided.)
- Units used correctly	Convert from mA into A in the equations to produce power in watts.
- Use of all data available	Use the averages of the two trials and total voltage in circuit.
7. Conclusion
- Consistent with scientific principles	*
- Sources of error	*
- Consistent with data	Conclusion is consistent with student's experimental results.
- Relationship among variables stated	Power is the product of total voltage and current.
- Variables stated in conclusion	Power dissipated across two resistors in watts

* These elements were not scored in this task; a "holistic" scoring approach was utilized so that the other four elements had a total value of 5 points.