AP Chemistry: Lab Report Rubric

Far Below Expectations

0 points
Below Expectations
1 to 2 points
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
3 points
1.
Heading,
Neatness, &
Organization
The lab report fails to meet two or
more of the expectations for
neatness, organization, name, title,
and date.
The lab report fails to meet one of the
expectations for neatness,
organization, name, title, and date.
1. The lab report is clearly written (or typed).
2. The sections are in correct order, clearly
labeled, and presented in a professional
manner
3. No spelling/grammatical errors in the report
of scientific words
2.
Objective(s)
Objectives are missing, or only
loosely related to the lab being
performed.
The objectives address the procedural
aspects of the lab, but do not
accurately summarize the theoretical
foundation of the experiment.
Objectives accurately describe the purpose for doing the
lab.
3.
Concept(s)
Concepts are missing, or only
loosely related to the lab being
performed.
The concepts address the procedural
aspects of the lab, but do not
accurately summarize the theoretical
foundation of the experiment.
Concepts (theories, laws) illustrated in the lab are
thoroughly explained using clear examples.
4.
Procedure
Procedure (lab handout) is missing
entirely.
Procedure (lab handout) has missing
parts.
Procedure is included with the report.
5.
Experimental
Data

The data section is missing. The data section is incomplete.
1. All data from experiments in included
2. Data is neatly organized (in tables or graphs
where appropriate), and is easy to interpret.
3. All data is correct with regard to significant
figures and labels/units.
6.
Analysis
[5 points]
The student does not answer the
questions or makes significant
errors to making the answers
incomprehensible.
[0 to 1 point]
The student makes multiple errors or
incorrect statements in answers.
[2 to 3 points]
All analysis questions are answered fully and correctly.
[4 to 5 points]
7.
Discussion &
Conclusion
[10 points]
Discussion & Conclusion is
missing, or is in conflict with the
students experimental results.
[0 to 3 points]
Discussion & Conclusion is present,
and does not conflict with the
students experimental findings, but
fails to fully address reasons for
error.
[4 to 7 points]
The Discussion & Conclusion succinctly describes what
can be concluded from the experimental results, possible
sources of error, and also describes what would be
expected if the experimental data were different.
[8 to 10 points]


Examples: The following table gives examples of laboratory answers for a Density of Salt Solutions lab.
Below Expectations
1 to 2 points
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
3 points
1.
Heading,
Neatness, &
Organization

Salt Solution Density Lab
Determination of the Relationship Between the
Density and Concentration of Sodium Chloride Solutions
Ms. Regan
August 17
th
, 2011

2.
Objective(s)

The purpose of the lab is to learn to find the density
of salt solutions.
The purpose of the lab is to develop a mathematical model relating the
concentration of a solution to its density, and to use this model to determine the
concentration of solutions of unknown concentration from their densities.

3.
Concept(s)
Density is defined as mass divided by volume. Density tells us how much matter is in a given space. Likewise, concentration
tells us how much matter is present in a certain amount of another substance, such
as how many moles of solute are in 1 liter of solution (molarity) or how many
grams of solute are in 100 grams of solution (mass %). Because density and
concentration both measure how compact a sample of matter is, we expect to see
a direct relationship between them.

5.
Experimental
Data

5% solution = 10.012 g
10% solution = 10.180 g
15% solution = 10.230 g
Concentration of NaCl solution Mass of solution (g)
5% 10.012
10% 10.180
15% 10.230

6.
Analysis

Density = 10.012 g/10.00 mL = 1.0012 g/mL
(significant figures error)
Density = 10.012/10.00 = 1.001 g/mL
(units not present in calculation)

Density = m/V (fundamental equation shown)
Density = 10.012 g/10.00 mL = 1.001 g/mL (units present throughout calculation,
significant figures rules observed)






7.
Discussion &
Conclusion

We demonstrated that it is possible to measure the
densities of solutions, and to find the concentrations
of unknowns.

We showed that as the concentration of a solution
increases, the density of the solution also increases
linearly. Our data supports this conclusion. The
purpose of the lab was fulfilled.


However, we failed to take into account the mass of
the graduated cylinder when finding the mass of the
solutions.

We demonstrated that a linear relationship exists between the density and
concentration of sodium chloride solutions, and that the relationship can be used
to make predictions about the properties of solutions of unknown concentration.

As the concentration of a solution increases, the density of the solution increases
in linear fashion. Our data supports this concept. The purpose of the lab was
fulfilled when we were able to use the mathematical model for this linear
relationship to predict the concentration of solutions of unknown concentration
based on their densities.

However, we failed to take into account the mass of the graduated cylinder when
finding the mass of the solutions. As a result, the mass of each solution was too
high, and the resulting density was also too large.