Eighth Grade Science Portfolio

Directions: ​Analyze the Inclined Plane Data Table that is shared on 
Classroom and determine which machine has the greatest Actual 
Mechanical Advantage (AMA). 
Problem Statement: 

How does the angle of an inclined plane affect the Mechanical 
Advantage? Is there a machine that is impossible? Explain using 
data. 

 
Hypothesis: ​(Use proper form!) 

If the angle of the inclined plane increases, then the mechanical advantage will 
decrease.  

 
Diagrams of Inclined Planes:​ (Use DRAWING - Label Diagrams) 

 

 

Angle Chart: ​https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4RmhXJlHvo1YXZhcDNMSDNSMXc 

 
Calculations ​(Examples): 

IMA  AMA  Efficiency 
IMA = id / od  AMA = of / if  E = wo / wi X 100% 
IMA = 300 / 70  AMA = 12 / 4  E = 840 / 1200 X 100% 
IMA = 4.29  AMA = 3  E = 0.7 X 100% 
E = 70% 

IMA  AMA  Efficiency 
IMA = id / od  AMA = of / if  E = wo / wi X 100% 
IMA = 200 / 70  AMA = 12 / 6  E = 840 / 1200 X 100% 
IMA = 2.86  AMA = 2  E = 0.7 X 100% 
E = 70% 

IMA  AMA  Efficiency 
IMA = id / od  AMA = of / if  E = wo / wi X 100% 
IMA = 100 / 70  AMA = 12 / 8  E = 840 / 800 X 100% 
IMA = 1.43  AMA = 1.5  E = 1.05 X 100% 
E = 105% 

Data Table: (​ Located on Google Classroom) 
 

Trial  Output Force (N)  Output Dist. (m)  Output Work (J)  Input Force  Input Dist.  Input Work  IMA  AMA  Efficiency 

Angle = 13  12  70  840  4  300  1200  4.29  3  70% 

Angle = 21  12  70  840  6  200  1200  2.86  2  70% 

Angle = 45  12  70  840  8  100  800  1.43  1.5  105% 

 
Graph:​ (​ Angle and Mechanical Advantage) 

 

Research: 

1. Is there a machine that is impossible? Explain using research on 
the Law of Conservation of Energy. 

 

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that “in a closed system, 
i.e., a system that isolated from its surroundings, the total energy of the 
system is conserved”1. Perpetual motion machines are machines that 
are impossible. They never have worked and they most likely never will. 
These machines are machines that work on their own and they work 
forever. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy cannot 
be created or destroyed. To make a perpetual motion machine work, 
you would have to produce work without any energy therefore this 
violates the Law of Conservation of Energy because a machine needs to 
have input energy.2 To relate to the experiment, the inclined plane with 
an angle of 45° is not possible because it breaks the Law of 
Conservation of Energy and has an efficiency over 100%.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option #1 Write a Conclusion. 

***Your conclusion must also address which machine would be 

impossible and why? 

1 "Law of conservation of energy - NYU."
http://www.nyu.edu/classes/tuckerman/adv.chem/lectures/lecture_2/node4.html​. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.
2 "Perpetual Motion Machines: Working Against Physical Laws." 30 Aug. 2016,
https://www.livescience.com/55944-perpetual-motion-machines.html​. Accessed 12 Apr. 2018.

2. Discuss purpose 
3. Restate hypothesis - angle and mechanical advantage 
4. Data to support hypothesis 
5. Is there a machine that is impossible? Explain using research on 

the Law of Conservation of Energy (Support with research - Use 
Explore Tool research - INLINE CITATIONS )3 
6. Use this source to explain the relationship of this machine to 
Newton’s First Law of Motion. 

 

TEXTBOOK REVIEW pg. 152-153 (1-28) Study these 

Rubric 

Lab Rubric - Data Analysis Sections 
 

  1  2  3  4 

Data/  ____Data is poorly  ____Data is  ____Data is  ___Data is clearly 
Observatio organized or missing  represented in a 
ns   altogether.  table or graph,  represented in  and accurately 
No mention of  but it is 
observations  incomplete or  the table or graph  represented in a 
there are major 
errors. Some  with minor errors.  table or graph. 
discussion of 
observations  More complete  Observations 

discussion of  include 

observations.  discussion of 

both qualitative 

and quantitative 

observations. 

  ____No conclusion is  ____Somewhat  ____Adequately  ____Clearly 
Conclusion written in this report or  explains whether  explains whether  explains whether 
/  it is very brief. No data  or not the  or not the  or not the 
Analysis  is cited.  hypothesis was  hypothesis was  hypothesis was 
____No analysis is  supported.  supported. Data  supported. Data 
included or it is  ____ Possible  is cited to support  was cited to 
extremely brief no  sources of error  hypothesis.  support the 
sources of error are  are somewhat  ____Possible  hypothesis. 
explained.   explained.  sources of error  ____Possible 
____No discussion of  ____ No  are adequately  sources of error 
patterns or trends in  discussion of  explained.  are clearly 
the data  patterns or trends  ____Some  explained. 
  discussion of   
patterns or trend  ____Trends and 
in the data  Patterns in the 
data are clearly 

3 "Introduction to mechanical advantage (video) | Khan Academy."
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/work-and-energy/mechanical-advantage/v/introduction-to-
mechanical-advantage.​ Accessed 9 Apr. 2018.

discussed. 

 
 

Thermal (Heat) Energy Project 
Chapter 6 (pg. 156-180) 
DUE: Friday May 16th  
 

1. Vocabulary - Define and make note cards or quizlet 

Conduction  Heat  Insulator  Calorie 

The transfer of  Thermal energy  A material in which  a measure of 

thermal energy by  that flows from  heat flows slowly  energy in food, 

collisions between  something at a  specifically the 

particles in matter  higher  measure of heat 

temperature to  needed to raise a 

something at a  kilogram or a gram 

lower temperature  of water by one 

degree Celsius 

Convection  Temperature  Second Law of  Turbine 

The transfer of  A measure of the  Thermodynamics  a machine f4or 
It is impossible for  producing 
thermal energy in  average kinetic  heat to flow from a  continuous power in 

a fluid by the  energy of the  which a wheel or 
rotor, typically fitted 
movement of  particles in the  cool object to a  with vanes, is made 
warmer object  to revolve by a 
warmer and cooler  object  unless work is  fast-moving flow of 
done 
fluid from place to 

place 

water, steam, gas, 
air, or other fluid 

Radiation  Heat Engine  Specific Heat  Generator 
The transfer of  A device that 
energy by  converts heat into  The amount of  A device that uses 
electromagnetic  work 
waves  heat that is  electromagnetic 

needed to raise  induction to 

the temperature of  convert 

1 kg of some  mechanical energy 

material by 1℃  to electrical 

energy 

First Law of  Conductor  Kinetic Energy   
Energy a moving 
Thermodynamics  object has 

The increase in  A material through  because of its 
thermal energy of 
a system equals  which electric  motion on the 
the work done on 
the system plus  current can pass  mass and speed of 
the heat 
transferred to the  the object 
system 

 

2. Provide a diagram showing molecular motion in Solids, Liquids, and gases. 
*How are they different? 

 
3. Discuss the energy needed to change a 15 gram ice cube into steam. Use one 
calculation from our unit on Phase Changes. 

 
HEAT= m*heat of fusion 
HEAT=15g*80cal/g 
HEAT= 1,200 calories 
 
HEAT= m*change in temperature*SH 
HEAT= 15g * 100 C * 1 cal/g C 
HEAT= 1,500 calories 
 
HEAT= m*heat of vaporization 
HEAT= 15g * 540 cal/g 
HEAT = 8,100 calories 
 
Total: 10,800 calories 
Scientific Notation: 1.08 x 104​  

 

4. What is the difference between Heat and Temperature? Provide a definition, 
picture and video link to help you review. 
The hotter an object is, the faster the motion of the molecules inside it. Therefore, 
the heat of an object is the total energy of all the molecular motion inside that 
object. Temperature, on the other hand, is a measure of the average heat or thermal 
energy of the molecules in a substance. 

 
VIDEO LINK: h​ ttps://youtu.be/uk76zwQHdtU  
5. Construct a graph showing the average monthly temperatures in Hartford, CT., a 
city on the equator and a city in the Southern Hemisphere. 

 
 
Questions: 

1. What do you notice about the temperatures? 
a. I noticed that Fortaleza, Brazil, the city near the equator, stays hot all 
year long because places closest to the equator are the hottest and 
stay hot throughout the year. 
b. I also noticed that in Sydney, Australia has opposite temperatures than 
Hartford, Connecticut because it is on the opposite side of the earth.  

2. How is heat transferred throughout the Earth? 
Heat is transferred to the surface of the Earth from the hot Earth's core by 
conduction and from radiation from the Sun. 
 
4. How is Steam used to create electricity in Power Plants? 
A. Coal Plant 

a. When water is turned into steam, and drives turbine generators to produce 
electricity. 

b.  
B. Natural Gas Plant 

c. Natural gas is used in steam turbines and gas turbines to generate electricity. 

d.  
C. Nuclear Plant 

e. Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms – a process called 
fission. This generates heat to produce steam, which is used by a turbine 
generator to generate electricity. 

f.  
D. Where did Fossil Fuels originate? 

a. Fossil fuel is a general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic 
materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted 
to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in 
the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years. 

E. What is the difference between Renewable and NonRenewable forms of energy? 

 
 
Part II - Water, Vinegar and Salt Water 
1. Conduct an experiment to determine the Heat Gained by 20 g of each substance 
2. You must measure the mass of saltwater, vinegar, and Vegetable Oil. 
3. Research the Specific Heats of saltwater, vinegar, and Vegetable Oil in Calories/g C 
not in Joules. 
 

Liquid   Specific Heat in Calories/g°c 

Water   1.0cal/g°c 

Salt water  0.932/g°c 

Vinegar   490/g°c 
 
4. Make a data table  Vinegar  Oil  25 
  25  25  26 
25  26  28 
Time (seconds)  Saltwater  26  28  30 
0  28  30  33 
10  29  31  36 
31  32  39 
20  32  34  41 
30  33  35 
40 
50 
60 
70 

80  34  37  43 
90  36  38  47 
100  37  40  49 
110  39  41  51 
120  40  42  53 

 
5. Construct a 3 Line graph for 2 minutes of data collection - 1 pt every 10 seconds 

 
 
Critical Thinking Questions 
1. What happens to the molecules in each of the beakers as heat is added? 

● As heat is added the molecules and atoms vibrate faster 
2. Which substance showed the greatest temperature change? Least? Use data. 

● Oil showed the greatest temperature change because on the graph all of the 
liquids started in the same place at 25 degrees but oil had the greatest 
temperature change and ended at 53 degrees which is a 28 degrees 
temperature change. Saltwater showed the least temperature change because 
it started at 25 degrees and ended at 40 degrees which is only a 15 degrees 
temperature change. 

3. Which substance does research say should show the greatest temperature 
increase? Least? Why? How does this relate to Specific Heat? 

● The substance that research says should show the greatest temperature 
increase is salt water because is has the lowest specific heat. The substance 

that research says should show the lowest temperature increase is vinegar 
because is has the lowest specific heat.  
● This relates to specific heat because  
4. How does Average Kinetic Energy relate to this experiment? 
● The molecules in a substance have a range of kinetic energies because they 
don't all move at the same speed. As a substance absorbs heat the particles 
move faster so the average kinetic energy and therefore the temperature 
increases. 
5. Why is water a great substance to put into a car engine radiator? 
● Water is a great substance to put in a car engine radiator because water-cooled 
engines have over air-cooled. This not only reduces the potential for 
catastrophic damage but also greatly simplifies the overall design of the engine. 
 
Critical Thinking - Choose 2 out of 3 to research 
Provide pictures 
2. How is your home insulated? Research the “R” value system for insulation. 
Insulation reduces the heat loss by conduction. The material also prevents air 
circulating inside the cavity, therefore reducing heat loss by convection.

 
3. How does the atmosphere act as an insulator? 
It absorbs the heat from the sun and keeps the heat from the Earth’s core to keep the 
Earth’s surface warm. 
 
 
7. Lab Experiment: April 28-30 
*Conduct an experiment to determine the Specific Heat of 3 different metals. 

Name: A​ very DePodesta 
Class: S​ 4 
Teacher: ​Mr. Lopez 
Date: ​May 7, 2018 
 
Investigation Title: Specific Heat of Metals 
 
I. Investigation Design  

A. Problem Statement:  
 

Identify the specific heats of metals 

 
B. Hypothesis: (Hint: Something about comparing metals to water - use increase or 

decrease) 
 

If the unknown metals specific heat is found, then the metal can be determined. 

 
C. Independent Variable: x 

Levels of IV 
*What metals did you use? 

Copper   Iron   Aluminum    

 
  

D. Dependent Variable:y 
Specific Heat 

Specific Heat 

 
E. Constants: 

 

Amount of Water  Hot Plate Temperature   

 
F. Control: 

*What substance makes good control in many labs? 

Water  

 
 
 

G. Materials: (List with numbers) 
1. 1 triple beam balance  
2. One beaker 
3. 1 graduated cylinder 
4. two thermometers 
5. one pair of tongs 
6. 1 hot plate  
7. 1 foam coffee cup 
8. 1 copper 
9. 1 iron 

10. 1 aluminum  
 

H. Procedures: (List with numbers and details) 
1. Gather materials 
2. Measure mass of metal on triple beam balance to nearest tenth of gram and record. 
3. Fill Calorimeter Cup (Foam coffee cup) with exactly 100 grams of water. 
4. Record temperature of water in calorimeter cup to nearest tenth of degree Celsius 
5. Fill glass beaker halfway with hot water and submerge metal in beaker. 
6. Leave metal in hot water until the temperature stops rising.   
7. Record the hot water temperature after temperature stops rising. - M​ etal Initial 
Temp.​  
8. Use tool to remove metal from hot water and carefully place into calorimeter cup 
and close lid with thermometer placed in spout. 
9. Record Final Temperature for Metal and Water after the water temperature stops 
rising. 
10. Perform the calculations using the examples discussed class - Record Specific Heat 
for the metal. 

A. Heat Gained Water = mass of water * Change in temp of water * Specific Heat of 
Water 

 
Copper: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 
Iron: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 
Aluminum: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 
B. Heat Lost Metal = Mass of metal * Change in Temp of Metal * Specific Heat of Metal 
 
Copper: 
200 = 68.5g * 52 * X 
200​ = 3​ 562​ * X 
3562 3562 
0.056 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.092 
 
Iron: 
200 = 50.3g * 54 * X 

200​ = ​2716.2​ * X 
2716.2​ 2716.2 
0.074 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.11 
 
Aluminum: 
200 = 20.2g * 48 * X 
200​ = ​969.6​ * X 
969.6 969.6 
0.2063 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.022 
 
II. Data Collection 

A. Qualitative Observations: (Describe the metals using characteristics) 

- Copper 
- reddish-orange color 
- Soft 
- Malleable 
- ductile metal  
- very high thermal and electrical conductivity  

- Iron 
- by mass the most common element on Earth 
- forming much of Earth's outer and inner core 

- Aluminum 
- Silvery-white 
- Soft 
- Nonmagnetic 
- Ductile metal  

  
B. Quantitative Observations: (Key data) 
1. Data Table 

 

Mass  Mass  Δ Temp  Δ Temp  Heat Gain  Heat Lost  SH 
Metal  Water  H20  Metal 
Object  Metal  H20  Metal 

Example  65  100  27-21 = 6  75-27 = 48  600  Use 
600  notes 

Copper  68.5  100  25-23=2  77-25=52  200  200  0.056 

Iron  50.3  100  23-21=2  77-23=54  200  200  0.074 

Aluminum  20.2  100  27-25=2  75-27=48  200  200  0.022 
 

Metal  Specific Heat  Actual Specific Heat 

Copper  0.056  0.092 

Iron  0.074  0.11 

Aluminum  0.2603  0.21 

 
2. Graph - Metal and Specific Heat 

 
3. Calculations - Show examples of how you solved for specific heat (2 or 3 examples) 
A. Heat Gained Water = mass of water * Change in temp of water * Specific Heat of Water 
 
Copper: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 
Iron: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 
Aluminum: 
100g * 2 * 1 
200 
 

B. Heat Lost Metal = Mass of metal * Change in Temp of Metal * Specific Heat of Metal 
 
Copper: 
200 = 68.5g * 52 * X 
200​ = ​3562​ * X 
3562 3562 
0.056 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.092 
 
Iron: 
200 = 50.3g * 54 * X 
200​ = 2​ 716.2​ * X 
2716.2​ 2716.2 
0.074 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.11 
 
Aluminum: 
200 = 20.2g * 48 * X 
200​ = ​969.6​ * X 
969.6 969.6 
0.2063 = X 
ACTUAL = 0.022 
 
 
IV. Research 
1. How does Specific Heat relate to a real life application? 
(Land/Sea Breezes, Cooking, Mercury in Thermometers?, Water in engines, think of 
others…) 
2. Include 2 sources for evidence 

Land has lower heat capacity than sea water. Therefore, in day time, the temperature 
of the land increases faster than the sea. Hot air (lower density) above the land rises. 
Cooler air from the sea flows towards land and hence produces sea breeze. 
https://www.brisbanehotairballooning.com.au/sea-land-breezes/ 

http://spmphysics.onlinetuition.com.my/2013/07/phenomena-related-to-specific-hea

t.html​  

 

8. SPECIFIC HEAT WORKSHEET 

WORKSHEET LINK​ - Use this worksheet and show your work 

DIRECTIONS:​ Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
 

1. A​ 15.75-g p​ iece of iron absorbs​ 1086.75 joules​ of heat energy, and its temperature 
changes from ​25°C to 175°C.​ Calculate the specific heat capacity of iron.  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
1086.75 = 15.75 g * 150C * X 

1086.75 J = 2362.5 X 

0.46 = Specific Heat of Iron 
2. How many joules of heat are needed to raise the temperature of 10.0 g of aluminum 
from 22°C to 55°C, if the specific heat of aluminum is 0.90 J/g°C?  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
Heat = 10 g * 33 C * 0.9 J/gC 
Heat = 297 Joules 

3. To what temperature will a 50.0 g piece of glass raise if it absorbs 5275 joules of heat 

and its specific heat capacity is 0.50 J/g°C? The initial temperature of the glass is 

20.0°C.  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
5275 = 50g * X * 0.5 J/g°C 

5275 = 25 * X 
211 = X 
 
ΔT = Tf - Ti 
211 = Tf - 20.0°C 
Tf = 231°C 

4. Calculate the heat capacity of a piece of wood if 1500.0 g of the wood absorbs 
6.75×104​ ​ joules of heat, and its temperature changes from 32°C to 57°C.  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
67500 = 1500g * 25°C * C 

67500 = 37500 * C 

1.8J/g°C = C 
5. 100.0 mL of 4.0°C water is heated until its temperature is 37°C. If the specific heat of 
water is 4.18 J/g°C, calculate the amount of heat energy needed to cause this rise in 

temperature.  
Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
E = 100.0mL * 4.18J/g°C * (37°C - 4.0°C) 
E = 13,794 J 

6. 25.0 g of mercury is heated from 25°C to 155°C, and absorbs 455 joules of heat in the 
process. Calculate the specific heat capacity of mercury.  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
455J = 25.0g * C * (155 - 25) 
455J = 3250 * C 
0.14J/g°C = C 

7. What is the specific heat capacity of silver metal if 55.00 g of the metal absorbs 47.3 
calories​ of heat and the temperature rises 15.0°C?  

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 
47.3 = 55.0g * C * 15.0°C 
47.3 = 825 * C 
0.057cal/g°C = C 

8. If a sample of chloroform is initially at 25°C, what is its final temperature if 150.0 g of 
chloroform absorbs 1000 joules of heat, and the specific heat of chloroform is 0.96 
J/g°C? 

Heat​ = mass * change in temperature * Specific Heat 

1.0 KJ = 1000J 
 
1000 J = 150g * 0.96J​ /g°C * ΔT 

1000J = 144 * ΔT 
6.94 = ΔT 
 
ΔT = Tf - Ti 
6.94 = Tf - 25 

Tf = 31.94°C 
 

Use this website for examples  

http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Energy/SpecificHeat.htm 

 

9. TEST REVIEW