GCSE Physics Required Practicals for AQA

Exam Tips

• Independent Variable: The variable you change.
• Dependent Variable: The variable you measure (changes as a result of the independent variable).
• Control Variables: Variables that could change but are kept the same to ensure accuracy.
• Equipment Use: Always state the specific equipment used for measurements.
• Be Obvious: Write down everything, even if it seems obvious.
• Measurement Accuracy: Include methods to reduce errors (e.g., reduce Parallax error by getting your eye in line with measurement).
• Multiple Readings: Take repeat measurements to calculate a mean.
• Bullet Points: Use bullet points for clarity and to ensure all points are covered.
• Proper English: Avoid informal language (e.g., "heat the water gently on a gauze on a tripod over a Bunsen burner flame").
• Additional Resource: Watch practical demonstrations on Mansbury Education [YouTube Link].

Physics 1: Specific Heat Capacity (SHC)

• Concept: Amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
• Procedure: Water or Metals
  • Insert electrical heater into beaker of water or slot in metal block.
  • Measure mass and record initial temperature.
  • Turn on heater and measure temperature every 20s (dependent variable).
  • Measure current and potential difference (PD) using an ammeter and voltmeter.
  • Calculate power supplied.
  • Formula: SHC = energy / (mass * temperature change).
• Method:
  • Easy way: Power * time = energy, then use the formula.
  • Complex way (less likely in exams): Plot temperature vs. energy for each time interval, find gradient of linear part, reciprocal of gradient = energy/temperature, then use SHC formula.

Physics 2: Resistance of a Wire

• Objective: Relationship between length of a wire and its resistance.
• Setup:
  • Use constantan wire (stable resistance with temperature).
  • Attach wire to battery with ammeter (in series) and voltmeter (in parallel).
  • Measure current and PD for different wire lengths (using a meter rule).
  • Calculate resistance using Ohm's law: Resistance = Voltage (PD) / Current.
  • Plot resistance vs. length to find a directly proportional relationship (straight line through origin).

Physics 3: IV Characteristics

• Objective: Vary PD across a fixed resistor and measure current change.
• Setup:
  • Use a variable resistor in series with the fixed resistor.
  • Measure PD (voltmeter) and current (ammeter).
  • Repeat with battery flipped for negative values.
  • Results:
    • Fixed Resistor: Straight line through origin (constant resistance, ohmic behavior).
    • Filament Bulb: Curve (resistance increases with current, non-ohmic).
    • Diode: Current only for positive PD (high resistance in one direction).

Physics 4: Density

• Objective: Find the densities of objects or solutions.
• Solid Objects:
  • Measure mass (top pan balance).
  • Regular Object: Calculate volume using dimensions (ruler/calipers).
  • Irregular Object: Use displacement can and measure displaced water volume (measuring cylinder).
  • Density = Mass / Volume.
• Solutions:
  • Measure mass and volume using a measuring cylinder on a balance.

Physics 5: Springs

• Objective: Find the spring constant.
• Setup:
  • Fix one end of spring to retort stand and add varying masses to change force.
  • Measure extension using a ruler.
  • Force = Mass * gravitational field strength (9.8).
  • Plot force against extension. Gradient = spring constant (Hook's Law: F = k * e).

Physics 6: Newton’s Second Law

• Objective: Verify F = ma (Force = mass * acceleration).
• Setup:
  • Use slotted masses and a trolley on a track or air track with pulley.
  • Measure acceleration using light gates or stopwatch.
  • Keep total mass constant, change force by varying masses.
  • Plot force against acceleration for proportional relationship (gradient = mass of trolley and masses).*

Physics 7: Waves

• Ripple Tank:
  • Use light to project wave image onto screen.
  • Measure wavelength using ruler or strobe light.
  • Frequency from signal generator.
  • Wave speed (V) = Frequency (F) * Wavelength (λ).
• String Oscillator:
  • Vibrate string with masses over pulley for tension.
  • Adjust frequency for stationary wave (one loop = half wavelength).
  • Calculate wave speed using frequency and wavelength.*

Physics 8: Infrared Absorption

• Leslie Cube:
  • Fill with hot water and measure IR radiation from different surfaces using IR detector (matte black vs. shiny).
• Boiling Tubes:
  • Wrap in different materials, use thermometers to measure temperature change under light.
  • Matte black absorbs/emits IR best, shiny surfaces reflect.

Physics 9: Insulation

• Triple Science Only:
  • Wrap beakers with varying insulation, measure temperature drop over time.

Physics 10: Refraction Index

• Objective: Find refractive index of glass/PVC.
• Setup:
  • Place block on paper, shine light at angle.
  • Mark entry and exit points, measure angles of incidence and refraction.
  • Calculate sin(I) / sin(R) for refractive index.

Leave a like/comment if helpful, and watch the MSB Science playlist on Mansbury Education for demonstrations.