Physics practical's

Practical for specific heat capacity (paper 1)

1. metal block wrapped with insulation
2. place immersion heater in hole connected to pd device
3. voltage at 12V
4. record temp every min for 10 mins

Thermal insulation (paper 1)

1. card used as lid for large beakers cut hole for thermometer
2. place different insulating material in the beaker
3. place smaller beakers on top of material
4. place even smaller beaker inside without material
5. add hot water from kettle and place thermometer in hole
6. record temp every 2 mins for 20 mins

Practical for resistance (paper 1)

1. crocodile clips at either end of metre ruler connecting to wires
2. record ammeter and voltmeter (turn power supply immediately off)
3. move crocodile clips along ruler (repeat process up to 1m)

Current and voltage (paper 1)

1. use a low voltage supply that you can vary the pd
2. ammeter and voltmeter positive readings (if not swap wires)
3. record current
4. reverse connections (negative reading on ammeter and voltmeter) and repeat

Measuring the speed of sound (paper 2)

1. Set up oscilloscope so the detected waves at each microphone are shown separately
2. Both microphones next to the speaker, move them away so they are aligned (one wavelength apart)
3. Measure distance between the microphones to find one wave length
4. Use the formula v=f x (lambda) to find speed of the sound waves passing through

Measuring the speed of water ripples using a lamp (paper 2)

1. Signal generator attached to dipper of a ripple tank (this creates water ripples) ==can create water waves at a set frequency==
2. Use lamp to see ripple crests on screen below the tank ==make sure wave shadows are same size as waves==
3. Distance between each shadow line is one wave length measure distance of 10 wave lengths then divide by 10 to work out the average wavelength ==(good for measuring small wavelength)==
4. Use v=f x (lambda) to work out the speed of the waves

Measuring the waves for springs (paper 2)

1. Turn on signal generator and vibration transducer, string will start to vibrate
2. Adjust frequency on generator till a clear wave is shown on string, frequency will depend on the length of string between pulley and the transducer, and the masses
3. Measure wavelengths of the waves (four to five wavelengths or as many as you can in one go
4. Find the mean wavelength and double that the use the equation v= f x (lambda)

Investigating light experiment 1 refraction (paper 2)

1. Transparent rectangular block on piece of paper, trace it, use a ray box to shine ray of light at the middle of one side of block
2. Trace incident ray mark where light ray emerges (other side of block), remove block and join the incident ray through the block (with a ruler)
3. Draw normal line, use protractor to measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction
4. Repeat using rectangular blocks made from different materials, keeping incident angle the same

Investigating light experiment 2 reflection (paper 2)

1. Draw straight line across piece of paper, place object on one of its sides
2. Shine a ray of light at object’s surface, trace incoming and reflected light beams
3. Draw the normal, measure angle of incidence and reflection, make notes of the width and brightness of the reflected ray
4. Repeat with different objects

Investigating motion (paper 2) tests Newtons 2nd law

1. Set up trolley with piece of card

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2. Connect trolley to string that goes over a pulley and is attached to a hook with masses

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3. Weight of hook and masses provide acceleration

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4. Mark starting point of trolley (always travels the same distance)

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5. Record acceleration measured by light gate as trolley passes through

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6. Repeat to get average acceleration