CORE PRACTICALS physics

CP1- Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys- step 1

Use the balance to measure the mass of the trolley (with no extra masses added)

CP1- Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys- step 2

Start with one 0.1kg mass hanging on the end of the string and no masses on the trolley

CP1- Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys- step 3

Release the trolley from rest and record the time it takes to travel between the light gates (which will be shown on the data logger) as well as the velocity of the trolley at each light gate (also on data logger)

CP1- Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys- step 4

Add one 0.1kg mass to the trolley and repeat adding masses to the trolley until reasonable amount, recording the time taken and the velocity at both gates each time

CP1- Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys- step 5

Calculate the acceleration for each recorded value using a = (v-u)/t

CP2- waves- step 1

Set up the ripple tank and place a piece of paper and a ruler underneath the tank where the light and shadows of the waves are visible. The ruler must be perpendicular to the wavefronts

CP2- waves- step 2

Use the ruler to measure the wavelength of the waves.

CP2- waves- step 3

Use the stopwatch to time 10 seconds and count the number of wavefronts that pass a fixed point in that time. Divide this number by 10 to obtain the frequency of the waves.

CP2- waves- step 4

Mark two points beneath the tank that are a set distance apart and use the stopwatch to determine the time it takes for one wave to travel between the two points

CP2- waves- step 5

Using the formula , you can calculate the value for the speed of the wave obtained speed= wavelength x frequency or speed= distance/time

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 1

Place the glass block on the paper and draw around it to ensure that the block will always be in the same place even if you remove it and replace it.

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 2

Using the protractor, draw a line that is 90º to the surface of the glass block (this is the normal)

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 3

Draw three lines as guides for the angles of incidence you will produce (you will shine light along these lines into the block).

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 4

Direct the light along each of these lines in turn and, for each one, make markings where the light leaves the block on the other side.

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 5

Connect the point of incidence to the point where the light leaves the block for each angle, which should leave you with something like the diagram above.

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 6

Use the protractor to measure all the angles of incidence and refraction and mark these on the paper

CP3- Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks in terms of the interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter- step 7

Compare the angles of incidence and the angles of refraction for glass into air and air into glass for each angle.

CP4- Investigate how the nature of a surface affects the amount of thermal energy radiated or absorbed- step 1

Boil the kettle and pour water into each of the beakers, ensuring that they all have the same volume, and cover each beaker with a lid.

CP4- Investigate how the nature of a surface affects the amount of thermal energy radiated or absorbed- step 2

Record the initial temperature of each beaker and start the stopwatch.

CP4- Investigate how the nature of a surface affects the amount of thermal energy radiated or absorbed- step 3

Record the temperature of each beaker at regular time intervals

CP4- Investigate how the nature of a surface affects the amount of thermal energy radiated or absorbed- step 4

Plot a graph of temperature against time, drawing a different line for each beaker- gradient showing rate of cooling

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor and a filament lamp- step 1

Set up a series circuit with the resistor, the power supply and the ammeter, with the voltmeter in parallel across the resistor

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor and a filament lamp- step 2

Starting on a low voltage, turn the power supply on and record the values for the potential difference and the current in the resistor.

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor- step 3

Repeat, increasing the voltage in the circuit each time and recording voltage and current

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor- step 4

Plot these values on a graph of current against potential difference.

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor- step 5

The reciprocal of the gradient 1/gradient will give the resistance of the fixed resistor as 1 gradient R = I/V

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a filament lamp- step 1

Replace the resistor in the circuit with the filament lamp, as in Circuit 2 below, and repeat the experiment.

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a filament lamp- step 2

The new I-V graph should show a curve that plateaus.

CP5a- Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a filament lamp- step 3

Since the resistance is 1/gradient, as the gradient decreases, resistance increases

This graph shows that the resistance of a filament lamp increases as the potential difference increases

CP5b- Construct electrical circuits to test series circuits using resistors and filament lamps- step 1

Start the power supply on 0V and record the values for V1, V2, V3 and A1 (they should all be 0)

CP5b- Construct electrical circuits to test series circuits using resistors and filament lamps- step 2

Increase the voltage of the power supply by one volt and record the values for V1, V2, V3 and A1.

CP5b- Construct electrical circuits to test series circuits using resistors and filament lamps- step 3

Repeat this step, increasing the voltage of the power supply at 1V intervals up to 6V. For each potential difference of the power supply, V2+V3 should be the same as V1

CP5b- Construct electrical circuits to test parallel circuits using resistors and filament lamps- step 1

Set up a parallel circuit

CP5b- Construct electrical circuits to test parallel circuits using resistors and filament lamps- step 2

Repeat the process for the previous circuit, taking readings for V4, V5, V6, A2, A3 and A4 for voltages up to 6V. For each potential difference A3 should be the same as A4, and added together they should equal A2. V4, V5 and V6 should all be the same

CP6- Investigate the densities of solids and liquids- step 1

Use the balance to determine the mass of the regular and irregular solids.

CP6- Investigate the densities of solids and liquids- step 2

Use the balance again to determine the mass of the liquid.

CP6- Investigate the densities of solids and liquids- step 3

Use the ruler to measure the height, width and depth of the cube and multiply them to obtain the volume of the cube.

CP6- Investigate the densities of solids and liquids- step 4

Start with a known volume of water in the measuring cylinder and place the stone (or other irregular solid) into the water and measure the new volume.

CP6- Investigate the densities of solids and liquids- step 5

Use the formula density= mass/volume to calculate the densities of the solids and the liquid

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice- step 1

Fill the beaker with boiling water and keep it warm using the bunsen burner

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice- step 2

Fill a boiling tube with crushed ice and take the initial temperature.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice- step 3

Place the boiling tube in the beaker and start the stopwatch.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice- step 4

Record the temperature of the ice every 30 seconds until all of the ice has melted.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice- step 5

Plot a graph of temperature against time for the results. The graph should show a plateau when the ice is melting.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 1

Place the empty beaker on the balance and zero it

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 2

Fill the beaker with water and record its mass.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 3

Place the thermometer and the immersion heater in the water and then insulate the beaker

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 4

Record the initial temperature of the water and turn on the immersion heater.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 5

Let the heater heat the water for an hour, or until there is a significant change in temperature, and then take the final temperature, as well as recording the value on the joulemeter.

CP7- Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water- step 6

Rearranging the formula Q= m x c x ΔT to Q = Q/mΔT , you can input the values for mass, change in temperature, and energy transferred to obtain the specific heat capacity of water.

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 1

Using the ruler, measure the initial length of the first spring when no force is applied

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 2

Set up the spring so it is hanging securely from the clamp stand.

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 3

Add one of the masses to the end of the spring and record the extension of the spring.

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 4

Continue adding masses and recording the extension each time.

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 5

Plot a graph of force against extension for the spring

CP8- Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring- step 6

Using this value, you can calculate the work done each time the spring extends.