Unit Checkpoint
Unit Review
This checkpoint assesses your mastery of the Advanced Science unit. Before attempting the assessment, review the key concepts from each lesson:
Waves and Optics
- Wave properties: wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed
- Wave equation: v = f x wavelength
- Reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference
- Electromagnetic spectrum and its applications
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric charge, current, voltage, and resistance
- Ohm's Law: V = IR
- Series and parallel circuits
- Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction
Investigation Lab
- Scientific method steps
- Independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- Control groups and their importance
- Sample size and experimental trials
Data and Graphs
- Choosing appropriate graph types
- Mean, median, mode, and range
- Correlation vs. causation
- Identifying and handling outliers
CER Writing
- Constructing strong claims
- Providing specific, quantitative evidence
- Writing reasoning that connects to scientific principles
- Avoiding common CER mistakes
Sample Assessment Questions
These examples show the types of questions you should be prepared to answer.
Integrated Example: Experimental Design and Analysis
A student investigates how temperature affects the bounce height of a rubber ball. They drop the ball from 1 meter onto concrete after heating or cooling it to different temperatures.
Data Table:
| Temperature (C) | Trial 1 (cm) | Trial 2 (cm) | Trial 3 (cm) | Average (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 42 | 44 | 43 | 43 |
| 20 | 58 | 56 | 57 | 57 |
| 40 | 65 | 67 | 66 | 66 |
| 60 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 69 |
Questions about this experiment might include:
- Identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- What type of graph would best display this data?
- Describe the trend shown in the data
- Write a CER response based on the results
Assessment
Complete all questions. Show your work and explain your reasoning.
Part A: Multiple Choice and Short Answer
1. A wave has a frequency of 500 Hz and a wavelength of 0.68 m. What is its speed?
A) 0.00136 m/s B) 340 m/s C) 735 m/s D) 500.68 m/s
2. In an experiment testing how fertilizer affects plant growth, a student uses 10 plants with fertilizer and 2 plants without. What is problematic about this design?
3. A circuit has a 12V battery and a 4-ohm resistor. Calculate the current flowing through the circuit.
4. Which graph type would be most appropriate for showing the distribution of test scores in a class of 30 students?
A) Line graph B) Pie chart C) Histogram D) Scatter plot
5. Identify whether each statement is a Claim, Evidence, or Reasoning:
a) "Cells placed in saltwater shrank due to osmosis."
b) "The cells decreased from 100 micrometers to 72 micrometers in diameter."
c) "Water moved out of the cells because the salt solution had a lower water concentration than the cell interior, creating a concentration gradient."
6. A scatter plot shows points forming a loose cloud with no apparent pattern. What type of correlation does this indicate?
7. Light travels from air (n=1.0) into water (n=1.33). Will the light ray bend toward or away from the normal? Explain your reasoning.
8. Data set: 15, 18, 16, 17, 16, 45, 17, 16. Calculate the mean and median. Which better represents the typical value? Why?
Part B: Extended Response
9. Design an experiment to test whether the color of a container affects how quickly ice melts. Include:
- Your hypothesis
- Independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- Materials and procedure (at least 5 steps)
- How you would analyze and present your results
10. Analyze the following scenario and write a complete CER response:
Students investigated whether music affects plant growth. Group A plants were exposed to classical music for 2 hours daily. Group B plants were in silence. After 4 weeks:
- Group A average height: 18.4 cm (range: 16.2 - 20.1 cm)
- Group B average height: 15.7 cm (range: 14.8 - 16.9 cm)
Both groups received identical water, light, and soil conditions. Each group contained 15 plants.
11. A student measures the resistance of a wire at different temperatures and creates the following data:
| Temperature (C) | Resistance (ohms) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 10.0 |
| 40 | 11.2 |
| 60 | 12.5 |
| 80 | 13.7 |
| 100 | 15.0 |
a) What type of correlation exists between temperature and resistance?
b) Predict the resistance at 120C based on the trend.
c) Explain at the atomic level why this relationship exists.
12. Evaluate this experimental conclusion: "Our experiment proves that studying with music improves test scores. Students who studied with music scored an average of 85%, while those who studied in silence scored 82%."
Identify at least three weaknesses in this conclusion and explain how the experiment could be improved.
Answer Key
Check your answers after completing all questions.
Question 1:
Show Answer
B) 340 m/s. Using v = f x wavelength: v = 500 Hz x 0.68 m = 340 m/s
Question 2:
Show Answer
The sample sizes are unequal and the control group (2 plants) is too small. This makes it difficult to determine if differences are due to the fertilizer or random variation. Both groups should have equal, adequate sample sizes (at least 10 each).
Question 3:
Show Answer
Using Ohm's Law: I = V/R = 12V / 4 ohms = 3 amperes
Question 4:
Show Answer
C) Histogram. Histograms are best for showing the distribution of continuous data across intervals.
Question 5:
Show Answer
a) Claim - states the conclusion
b) Evidence - provides specific data
c) Reasoning - explains WHY using scientific principles (osmosis, concentration gradient)
Question 6:
Show Answer
No correlation. A scattered cloud pattern indicates no relationship between the variables.
Question 7:
Show Answer
The light ray bends toward the normal. When light enters a medium with a higher refractive index (from air to water), it slows down and bends toward the perpendicular line to the surface.
Question 8:
Show Answer
Mean = 160/8 = 20. Median = (16+17)/2 = 16.5. The median better represents the typical value because the outlier (45) significantly skews the mean upward.
Next Steps
- Review any topics where you struggled
- Practice additional problems from each lesson
- Congratulations on completing the Advanced Science unit!
- Return to the Science page to explore other units