Mouse Trap Vehicle Project Description and Grade Scale

Project Description:

This is a performance based assessment, meaning you are graded largely on how your project performs not on the number of hours you worked on it.  There are no partners and no teams.  Students will use one Victor brand mouse trap as the energy source to drive a vehicle as far as possible down the hallway.  They will get a maximum of three tries to produce their best distance and that distance will be the basis for their grade.

You may use any materials you wish as long as those materials do not add energy to the vehicle.  For example rubber bands or springs or rockets that store elastic energy are forbidden.  However, no kits are allowed.  The use of a kit will result in a 30 point reduction in score.  A 90 would become a 60.


Due Date:  The first lab  day after return from Winter Break.

Point value:  100 points for the final test output, with other point values assigned also.   Example 5 points for drawing and materials list.



Grade Scale for mouse trap project

D = 10-12.99 meters

D+ = 13-14.99 meters

C- = 15-16.99 meters

C = 17-18.99 meters

C+ = 19-20.99 meters

B- = 21- 23.99meters

B= 24- 27.99 meters

B+ = 28-29.99 meters

A- = 30 -32.99meters

A = 33-34.99 meters

A+ beyond 35 meters

AP Physics Open Ended Fluids Lab

Given: A two liter soft drink bottle full of water, with a hole in the side, 

and a meterstick. 

Find: The speed at the exit point of the hole and the range.

Numbered Heads Force Test Review

Numbered Heads Instructions

1. Form into the designated groups

2. Take out one full sheet of paper per group and list the name of the group at the top. Then list the names of the group members and place numbers next to each name (1, 2, 3…..If four members then write 4 also). It doesn’t matter who gets what number.

3. Hand the paper to the instructor. It will be used for assessment and graded.

4. Begin reviewing/ learning the listed concepts. Make up sample questions related to the concept. Try and figure out what question the teacher will ask. Time is limited; so don’t waste it!

5. Once you understand the concepts make sure each group members also understand by assessing them. Do not ask yes or no assessment questions.

Good Assessment. “Sam, could you show me how to do number three on the list?”

Poor Assessment. “Do you guys all know it?”

6. When the instructor calls a number randomly (ex. = 3) the three will go to a designated area alone and respond to a similar question. Make sure they have something to write with and a calculator. After they leave begin studying the next set of concepts for the next round.

7. After a short amount of time the person will then return to the group and their answer will be graded by the teacher and given to the entire group as a communal score.

8. The returning group member may be called again so they should receive extra instruction to help get caught up.

9. The scores are added at the end to determine winners. The top three groups receive extra points on the test.

Force test Review

1.  What is the cause of an acceleration and what is the cause of something to stay doing what it is doing?   These are two different concepts

2.   Meaning of the length of a force vector 

3.  Complete third law statements   ex given action be  able to state reaction

4.  Calculate acceleration given force and mass

5.  Calculate force given mass and acceleration

6.  Use 4 kinematic equations to calculate "a"and "F"

7.  Add two perpendicular force vectors and then use mass to find acceleration

8.  Know the first, second and third laws of motion

9.  Units of Mu

10.  Calculate mu given mass and friction

11.  identify force of gravity in a free body diagram

12.  Find the resultant given the horizontal component and an angle from horizontal

13.  calculate acceleration for a car with trailer given the mass of each and the force from the car engine

14.  the measure of the quantity of matter

15.  find normal force for an object held in equilibrium on a ramp given angle from horizontal

16.  Calculate mu given initial and final velocity and distance for an ice skater coming to a halt

17.  find net force in a  tug of war 

18.  Find force of friction for  sled pulled at constant velocity given resultant force and angle of pull

Energy of a tossed ball Lab

Here is the lil' linkie doodle to the lab