Required Practicals

• What should you always identify in a practical investigation?

  Independent, dependent, and controlled variables
• Why is it important to state the equipment used for measurements?

  It ensures clarity and accuracy in results
• How can you reduce parallax error when measuring?

  Align your eye with the measurement scale
• What is the benefit of taking multiple measurements?

  It allows for calculating a mean value
• What format is recommended for writing answers in practicals?

  Bullet point format
• Why should you avoid abbreviated points in practical reports?

  It may lead to misunderstandings in communication
• How do you determine specific heat capacity (SHC) experimentally?

  Measure energy supplied, mass, and temperature change
• What does specific heat capacity indicate?

  Energy needed to raise temperature of 1 kg by 1°C
• How do you calculate the energy supplied to a block?

  Multiply power by time in seconds
• What relationship do you expect when plotting resistance against length of a wire?

  A directly proportional relationship resulting in a straight line
• What happens to the resistance of a filament bulb at higher currents?

  Resistance increases due to temperature rise
• How do you find the density of a regular object?

  Measure mass and calculate volume using dimensions
• How do you find the density of an irregular object?

  Use water displacement to measure volume
• What is the equation for calculating density?

  Density = mass / volume
• What is the gravitational field strength used in calculations?

  9.8 N/kg
• What does Hooke's Law state about springs?

  Force is directly proportional to extension
• How do you verify Newton's Second Law experimentally?

  Measure force and acceleration of a trolley
• What is the expected result when plotting force against acceleration?

  A straight line through the origin
• How can you measure wave speed using a ripple tank?

  Measure wavelength and frequency to calculate speed
• What is the best emitter of infrared radiation?

  Matte black surface
• How do you find the refractive index of a material?

  Calculate sin(i) / sin(r) for angles
• What are the key components of a practical investigation?

  • Independent variable: what you change
  • Dependent variable: what you measure
  • Controlled variables: kept constant for accuracy
• What steps are involved in measuring specific heat capacity?

  1. Measure mass of the substance
  2. Measure initial temperature
  3. Turn on heater and measure temperature change
  4. Calculate energy supplied using power and time
  5. Use the formula SHC = energy / (mass × temperature change)
• What is the relationship between resistance and length of a wire?

  • Directly proportional relationship
  • Straight line graph through the origin
• What factors affect the resistance of a filament bulb?

  • Resistance increases with temperature
  • Higher currents lead to increased resistance
• How do you experimentally determine the density of a solution?

  1. Zero a balance with a measuring cylinder
  2. Pour in the solution to find mass
  3. Measure volume of the solution
  4. Calculate density using mass / volume
• What is the significance of Hooke's Law in spring experiments?

  • It describes the linear relationship between force and extension
  • Helps determine the spring constant
• What is the wave equation and its components?

  • Wave speed (V) = frequency (F) × wavelength (λ)
  • Used to calculate wave properties
• What is the purpose of using a ripple tank in wave experiments?

  • To visualize wave patterns
  • To measure wavelength and frequency accurately
• What is the method for finding the refractive index of a material?

  1. Shine light at an angle on the material
  2. Measure angles of incidence and refraction
  3. Calculate sin(i) / sin(r) for multiple angles
  4. Consistent value indicates refractive index
• What is the relationship between infrared absorption and surface texture?

  • Matte surfaces are better absorbers and emitters
  • Shiny surfaces reflect more and absorb less
• What is the significance of insulation in practical experiments?

  • To measure temperature drop in hot water
  • To assess effectiveness of different insulation types
• What is the role of a strobe light in wave experiments?

  • To make waves appear stationary
  • Helps in measuring wavelength accurately