physics paper 2

• Investigating the Relationship Between the Weight Hung From a Spring and its Extension


  1. Set up equipment as shown in the diagram

  2. Adjust the ruler so that the zero mark is at the same height as the top of the spring

  3. Record the length of the spring when no weights are attached

  4. Hook a 1N weight on the bottom of the spring

  5. Record the new length of the spring

  6. Add weights at 1N intervals recording the new length of the spring

  7. Determine the extension of the spring when each weight is added by subtracting the original length from the recorded lengths
• Investigating the effect of varying the force on the acceleration of an object


  1. Set up equipment as shown in the diagram and connect 2 light gates to the data logger

  2. Add a 1N weight to the pulley and release the trolley

  3. Light gates A and B will determine the velocity at each point and use this to calculate the acceleration between the 2 points

  4. Record the acceleration when 1N is added

  5. Repeat by adding more weights at 1N intervals
• Measuring the frequency, wavelength and speed of waves in a ripple tank


  1. Set up equipment as shown in the diagram

  2. Use a stopwatch and count the number of waves passing a point in a fixed time period. Then divide the time by the number of waves to determine the time for one wave. To then determine frequency use the equation: f=1/T

  3. Use a camera to freeze the image and use a metre rule to measure the distance between two wavefronts. OR Count the number of wavefronts. To then find the wavelength divide the distance by the number of wavefronts counted

  4. Determine a mean value of frequency and a mean value of wavelength. Use these in the equation wave speed = frequency x wavelength

  5. Measure the time it takes one wavefront to travel the length of the screen. Measure the length of the screen and use the equation: speed = distance/time to determine the speed
• Frequency


  Count the number of waves passing a point in a fixed time period. Divide the time by the number of waves counted. Then use the equation: Frequency=1/time to find the frequency
• Wavelength


  Use a camera to freeze the image and then use a metre ruler to measure the distance between two wave fronts
• Wavespeed


  Time how long it takes for a wave to travel across the ripple tank. Measure the distance it travelled. Divide the distance by time to find the wavespeed
• Investigating the Refraction of Light By Different Substances

  1. Place a block on a piece of paper and draw around it

  2. Shine a ray of light through the block

  3. Mark the ray of light close to the point it leaves the ray box and where it enters the block

  4. Mark the ray of light at the point it leaves the block and further along this ray of light

  5. Join the points together to show the path of the light

  6. Draw the normal lines at 90' to the surface

  7. Use a protractor to measure the angle of incidence and angle of refraction

  8. Shine the light from the ray box at different angles by increasing the angle of incidence at 10° intervals
• Investigating how the amount of infrared radiation absorbed or emitted by a surface depends on the nature of that surface


  1. Place the Leslie Cube on a heat proof mat

  2. Fill the Leslie Cube with very hot water and replace the lid

  3. Use an infrared detector to record the amount of radiation from each surface. The detector should be the same distance from each surface

  4. Construct bar chart to display the results