Physics In Action

 

 

Writing Assignment for Unit on Thermodynamics

 

 

This assignment is the unit assessment for Thermodynamics. Each student will choose one of the following formats and use their prior knowledge, analytic skills and creativity to fulfill all requirements outlined in the scoring guide. If at any time there are questions or concerns, please see me before or after class. This assessment allows you to make choices and utilize skills that showcase your content knowledge and writing skills.

 

Student must choose one of the following formats:

 

1.      Editorial or letter to the Editor: audience will be the readers of the school newspaper.

2.      Feature or Informational Article: audience will be the readers of the school newspaper.

3.      Brochure: audience will be science club meeting next month (includes students, teachers and parents in attendance).

4.      Speech: audience will be the local Rotary Club, students will be participating in local speech contest if choosing this option.

 

Note:  The purpose will be to either introduce your audience to a new topic or explain how physics works in the real world.

 

 

Students must choose one of the following Writing Prompts.

 

1.      Discuss how solar energy can have an effect on our environment, including efficiency and economic impact.

2.      Entropy can increase or decrease in many systems on Earth. Explain entropy and then answer the following question; Is Earth considered a “closed system”? Support your opinion.

3.      Is it possible to construct a heat engine that doesn’t transfer energy to its surroundings? Explain.

4.      Steam driven turbines are one major component of electric power plants. Is it advantageous to increase the steam’s temperature as much as possible, or not? Explain.

5.      Explain why opening the refrigerator door on a hot day does not cause your kitchen to become colder.

6.      What is deep-sea air conditioning? How does it work and who benefits from this technology?

 

 

Making this project work: If you would like this to be a piece for your portfolio, make sure you discuss this with me and your advisor during the next two weeks. This will be a great way to incorporate a science selection and have a completed piece at the same time!

 

 

Scoring Guide for this Project:

 

Organization	1	2	3	4
Content Knowledge	1	2	3	4
Sentence Flow	1	2	3	4
Vocabulary (correct and content specific)	1	2	3	4
Narration Style/ Tone	1	2	3	4
Punctuation and Format	1	2	3	4

 

Key:    4 - Distinguished

            3 - Proficient

            2 - Apprentice

            1 - Novice

 

 

Writing Task Project submitted by:  Jamie Smith