Physics Core Practical

• What is the purpose of Core Practical 1?

  To investigate the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration by varying the masses added to trolleys

  
• What equipment is needed for Core Practical 1?

  • Trolley
  • 10 x 0.1kg masses
  • String
  • Pulley
  • Ramp
  • Light gates
  • Clamps and clamp stands
  • Data Logger
  • Balance
  • Piece of card
• Why is it important to measure the mass of the trolley before adding extra masses?

  To establish a baseline mass for accurate calculations of acceleration

  
• What is the first step in the method for Core Practical 1?

  Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram
• How many 0.1kg masses are used in the experiment?

  10
• What should be recorded after releasing the trolley from rest?

  The time it takes to travel between the light gates and the velocity at each light gate
• What formula is used to calculate acceleration in the experiment?

  $a =$$\frac{v - u}{t}$
• What should the graph of acceleration against mass show?

  • A smooth curve
  • An inverse relationship between acceleration and mass

  
• What should the graph of acceleration against \(\frac{1}{\text{mass}}\) show?

  • A straight line

  
• Why is it suggested to raise the ramp slightly?

  To counteract friction and allow the trolley to roll to the end without stopping
• What must be measured and input into the data logger for accurate velocity calculations?

  The length of the card attached to the trolley
• Why must the force in the string be kept constant during the experiment?

  To ensure that the mass at the end of the string remains the same
• What safety precautions should be taken during the experiment?

  • Place something soft below the falling mass
  • Do not stand next to the end of the ramp
  • Secure masses to the trolley with tape or sticky tack
• What should be done to prevent injury from falling masses?

  Place something soft below the falling mass at the end of the string
• Why should you not stand next to the end of the ramp?

  To ensure that you do not get hit by the falling mass or the trolley
• How can you secure the masses to the trolley to prevent them from falling off?

  By using tape or sticky tack
• What is the aim of Core Practical 2?


  To investigate the suitability of equipment to measure speed, frequency, and wavelength of a wave in a solid and fluid

  
• What equipment is used to measure waves in a liquid?

  • Ripple tank
  • Ruler
  • Camera (or phone)
  • Stopwatch

  
• What is the first step in the method for measuring waves in a liquid?

  Set up the ripple tank and place a piece of paper and a ruler underneath the tank
• Why must the ruler be perpendicular to the wavefronts?

  To ensure accurate measurement of the wavelength
• How can you make the waves in the ripple tank slow while still being visible?

  By adjusting the settings of the ripple tank
• What unit must the wavelength be measured in?

  Metres
• How do you calculate the frequency of the waves?

  By counting the number of wavefronts that pass a fixed point in 10 seconds and dividing by 10
• What should you do to make counting wavefronts easier?

  Mark the point on the paper where you are counting
• How do you determine the time it takes for one wave to travel between two marked points?

  By using the stopwatch to time the travel of the wave
• What is the formula to calculate the speed of the wave?

  v = fλ
• How can you calculate another value for the speed of the wave?


  Using the formula v = t/d
• What does it suggest if the two values for speed are close together?

  It suggests that the suitability of the equipment is good
• What equipment is used to measure waves in a solid?

  • Metal rod(s)
  • Clamp stands
  • Elastic bands
  • Frequency measuring device (e.g., phone application)
  • Ruler
  • Metal object to strike the rods
• What is the first step in the method for measuring waves in a solid?

  Measure the length of each rod using the ruler
• How is the wavelength of the wave at peak frequency related to the length of the rod?

  The wavelength is twice the length of the rod
• How do you measure the peak frequency of the wave in a solid?

  By striking the rod and using a frequency recorder
• How many times should you strike the rod to measure the frequency?

  Up to five times
• How do you calculate the velocity of the waves in each rod?

  Using the mean peak frequency and the wavelength (2 x the length of the rod)
• What should you compare the calculated velocity values with?

  Researched values for each type of metal
• What does it indicate if the calculated values are close to researched values?

  It indicates that the equipment is suitable
• What is the core practical focused on in this investigation?

  Investigating refraction in rectangular glass blocks
• What equipment is needed for the refraction investigation?

  • Ray box and single slit grating
  • Glass block
  • Paper
  • Pen/pencil
  • Ruler
  • Protractor
• What should be done first in the method for this investigation?

  Set up the equipment in a darkened room
• Why is it important to draw around the glass block on the paper?

  To ensure that the block will always be in the same place