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Year 12 Practicals

These videos are a brief summary of each experiment. They include the theory, equipment, safety considerations and measurements to be taken.

You may find that with the equipment at your school there are some slight variations to the method and how you analyse your data. Please comment on the videos on my YouTube channel if you have any queries or would like to share your experiences with other students.

Stationary Waves on a String

A signal generator connected to a vibration generator can be used to set up a standing wave on a string. By changing the length of the string and varying the frequency until you reach the first harmonic you can investigate the speed of the wave along the string.

You can also vary the mass per unit length and the tension in the string as part of your investigation.

AQA RP1          Edexcel CP7

[Download the Waves Summary Sheet]

Measuring the Wavelength of Light with a Double Slit

A laser will diffract and interfere when shone through a double slit. A series of dark and bright fringes can be measured on a screen which will then allow you to calculate the wavelength of light.

Be careful with the laser. Do not look at the beam or any reflected light from a shiny surface.

[ Download the Double Slit Summary Sheet]

Measuring the Wavelength using a Diffraction Grating

A laser will also diffract and interfere when shone through a diffraction grating.  The distance to the first, second and third order maxima can be measured which will then allow the wavelength of the light to be calculated.

nu stem  - Diffraction

AQA RP2          OCR PA5.1          Edexcel CP8

[Download the Diffraction Grating Summary Sheet]

Calculating 'g' using a Free-Fall Method

Dropping a steel ball bearing through light gates can be used to find the acceleration due to gravity. Recording the time taken for it to fall as you then change the distance between the gates allows a graph to be plotted the the value of 'g' determined.

nu stem  - g via  Freefall

AQA RP3          OCR PA1.1          Edexcel CP1

[Download the Acceleration Summary Sheet]

The Young's Modulus of Copper

This is a straight-forward way to measure the Young's Modulus of a material. Copper wire is often used as it is stretched by weights hung over the edge of the bench, with the small extension carefully measured with a ruler.

Wear eye protection in-case the wire snaps.

AQA RP4          OCR PA2.1          Edexcel CP5

[Download the Young's Modulus Summary Sheet]

The Young's Modulus of Steel (with a Vernier Scale)

This is a great way to measure the Young's Modulus if you have the equipment at your school. Steel wire does not extend much so the small extension is measured using a vernier scale.

AQA RP4          Edexcel CP5

Measuring the Resistivity of a Wire

Resistivity is a material property that can be measured by recording the resistance of various lengths of wire of a known cross section. Make sure that you only connect the circuit for a short time to minimise any heating effects of the current.

AQA RP5          OCR PA3.1          Edexcel CP2

Measuring Internal Resistance and E.M.F.

You can calculate the internal resistance of a cell by changing the external resistance of the circuit and recording the terminal p.d of the cell. When a graph is plotted the gradient is the negative value of 'r' while the y-intercept should be equal to the e.m.f. of the cell.

nu stem  - EMF and Internal Resistance

AQA RP6          Edexcel CP3

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Practical Skills

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Notes || Flashcards

  • RP 01 - Stationary Waves on a String
  • RP 02 - Interference Effects
  • RP 03 - Determination of g
  • RP 04 - Determination of Young's Modulus
  • RP 05 - Determination of Resistivity of a Wire
  • RP 06 - Internal Resistance and emf
  • RP 07 - Simple Harmonic Motion
  • RP 08 - Boyle's and Charles's Laws
  • RP 09 - Charging and Discharging Capacitors
  • RP 10 - Magnetic Force on a Wire
  • RP 11 - Magnetic Flux Linkage
  • RP 12 - Inverse Square Law for Gamma Radiation
  • Uncertainties and Methods

Flashcards:

  • RP 01 Stationary Waves on a String
  • RP 02 Interference Effects
  • RP 03 Determination of g
  • RP 04 Determination of Young’s Modulus
  • RP 05 Determination of Resistivity of a Wire
  • RP 06 Internal Resistance and EMF
  • RP 07 Simple Harmonic Motion
  • RP 08 Boyle’s and Charles’ Laws
  • RP 09 Charging and Discharging Capacitors
  • RP 10 Magnetic Force on a Wire
  • RP 11 Magnetic Flux Linkage
  • RP 12 Inverse Square Law for Gamma Radiation

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Cambridge international as & a level physics (9702).

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Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics Student's Book

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Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics: Coursebook, Third Edition

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IMAGES

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  2. A-Level Physics Experiment Measurements and Instruments Reference Table

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  3. AQA A Level Physics复习笔记6.2.8 Required Practical: Investigating SHM-翰林国际教育

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  4. A-Level Physics Required Practicals

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  5. CIE A Level Physics复习笔记2.1.8 Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment-翰林国际教育

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COMMENTS

  1. Year 12 Practicals

    A Level Physics Online. Premium Plan. Videos. Resources. More. Students. Parents. Teachers. Intro to A Level. ... Eduqas. OCR A. OCR B. WJEC. CIE. Edexcel IAL. IB. Year 12 Practicals. These videos are a brief summary of each experiment. They include the theory, equipment, safety considerations and measurements to be taken. ... FREE Intro to A ...

  2. AS and A Level Physics practicals

    Developing practical skills prepares students for studies beyond A Level in physics, engineering or in physics-dependent vocational courses. ... Many experiments can be made with simple apparatus, e.g. calculate the area and even the volume of a piece of paper and its uncertainty using just a ruler. 4) Give your students a simple guide to all ...

  3. CIE International A-Level Physics Revision

    Revision for CAIE AS and A-level Physics (9702) papers, including summary notes, videos, factsheets and past exam questions by topic. ... Consists of two experiments from different areas of Physics, may be based on physics not included in the syllabus content. Assessed on practical skills rather than knowledge of theory.

  4. Required Practical: The Young Modulus

    Aims of the Experiment. The aim of the experiment is to measure the Young Modulus of a metal in the form of a wire. This requires a clamped horizontal wire over a pulley. This experiment can also be done with a vertical wire attached to the ceiling with a mass attached. Variables. Independent variable = Force (or load) (N) Dependent variable ...

  5. Practical Skills Revision

    Summary notes, videos and past exam questions by topic for AQA Physics AS and A-Level Practical Skills and Data Analysis. Summary notes, videos and past exam questions by topic for AQA Physics AS and A-Level Practical Skills and Data Analysis. Get £15 off your first lesson in November on PMT Tuition with the code PMTNOV15.

  6. Practical Skills

    Revision notes on 1.2 Practical Skills for the Edexcel A Level Physics syllabus, written by the Physics experts at Save My Exams. ... Modelling is about processing the data collected from a physics experiment into software or a spreadsheet; Graphs and charts can be generated from a table of values

  7. Required Practical: Determination of g

    The overall aim of the experiment is to calculate the value of the acceleration due to gravity, g This is done by measuring the time it takes for a ball-bearing to fall a certain distance. The acceleration is then calculated using an equation of motion

  8. PDF International As and A-level Physics

    whether they're doing International AS or A -level Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or a combination of subjects, to improve their practical skills: in the classroom, in the laboratory, in exams, and on to university or the workplace. Unless specified, all guidance is common to Biology, Chemistry and Physics at both International

  9. Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702)

    This Student's Book provides in depth coverage of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics syllabus. It enables students to develop practical skills with assignments and experimental skills features and regular opportunities to handle, apply and evaluate data. It deepens understanding by making connections between topics.

  10. Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics for learners

    Resource Plus Physics 9702 Learner; Topic outline. Select topic Collapse all Expand all. Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics for learners. Experiment videos and lesson resources. Select topic Select activity Lab safety Lab safety. Select activity Text and media area ...