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Endorsed Practical Activities

Listed below are the suggested practical activities identified within the three English examination boards (AQA, OCR, Edexcel) for the students to
achieve the practical endorsement to their A-Level Physics award.
To successfully achieve endorsement, candidates will be expected to have completed and recorded 12 activities within which they will have encountered
and demonstrated mastery of 12 practical techniques.
The activities outlined by the exam boards have been mapped to these techniques and so completing them will provide the minimum necessary
coverage to achieve endorsement.
Schools are permitted to choose alternative activities but in that case they will need to undertake mapping of techniques to their chosen activity and
ensure that these alternatives provide the same coverage of the techniques.
In addition there will be a significant element of the written papers which will examine practical skills and may make reference to these activities but
may be set in the context of other activities.
Many of the activities are common to all boards but with slightly different wording. There are separate entries and slightly different references where
appropriate.

Suggested activities

apparatus

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Determine the acceleration of a


freely-falling object. (all boards)

g-ball;or ticker timer


or accn sensor
electromagnet, trapdoor & timer

Determine the electrical resistivity of


a material.
(all boards)

Standard simple &


cheap apparatus is all
that is required.

Episode 206 intro to uniform and non-uniform


acceleration
http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/kinematics/206/page_46
322.html
Section 206-3 has practical. There are supporting
questions
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/index.html
this is a whole collection of materials on electricity
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/resistance/112/page_459
84.html
episode 112 is specifically on resistivity

Determine the e.m.f. and internal


resistance of an electrical cell. (all
boards)

Shoe box or potato &


Cu/Zn + res sub box

Investigation of potential divider


circuits(OCR)

http://tap.iop.org/electricity/emf/index.html
there are a collection of episodes on emf & internal
resistance (episodes 119-121)

http://tap.iop.org/electricity/circuits/118/page_46038.
html
again within the section on electric circuits and series
& parallel circuits episode 118 is specifically about
potential dividers

Reference to Practical Physics


(practicalphysics.org)
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/forces-and-motion
gives five/six related practical activities including
rolling a ball down a plank, using light gates and
using a timer
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/ohms-law-and-resistance
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/measuring-resistance-voltmeter-andammeter
there is no specific expt on resistivity but
theses are relevant
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/internal-resistance-potato-cell
fun with a potato & zinc & copper electrodes
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/internal-resistance-shoe-box-cell
make up a cell with internal resistance in a shoebox
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/potential-difference
there is nothing specific on potential dividers but
this section on potential difference with
associated practical activities is relevant and

helpful

Suggested activities

apparatus

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Reference to Practical Physics

Use a falling-ball method to


determine the viscosity of a liquid.
(Edexcel)

Styrocells beads
through water or more
sophisticated kits.

Episode on drag (terminal velocity)


http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/drag/209/page_46353.ht
ml
then 209-1 falling cupcakes, and
209-2 ball-bearings falling through a viscous medium
are relevant

(practicalphysics.org)
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalchemistry/experiments-hydrogels-hair-gel-anddisposable-nappies
this ref goes to RSC as directed by the physics
site and may be helpful. smart
materials(mindsetsonline) which may help

Determine the Young modulus of a


material
(all boards)

Determine the speed of sound in air


using a 2-beam oscilloscope, signal
generator, speaker and microphone.
(Edexcel)

fast timer + 2
detectors (djb
microtech)
or sig gen etc

Investigate the effects of length,


tension and mass per unit length on
the frequency of a vibrating string or
wire.(edexcel)

Vib gen, sig gen


pulley masses elastic
cord

Investigation into the variation of the


frequency of stationary waves on a
string with length, tension and mass
per unit length of the string (AQA)
Determine the wavelength of light
from a laser or other light source
using a diffraction grating.(Edexcel)

http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/materials/index.html
this section on materials has helpful work on Hookes
Law leading to YM.
http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/materials/228/page_465
20.html
Two good simple experiments;
The standard stretching wire;
Bending a beam
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/progressive/311/page_466
61.html
whole section on freq, wavelength & speed including
approach to sound measurement using CRO,
speaker(s) & microphone
episode 311-3
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/superpostion/324/page_46
786.html
specifically episode 324-1 & 2 also

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/stretching-and-force

Vib gen, sig gen


pulley masses elastic
cord

As above

As above

Optic bench laser,


slits

http://tap.iop.org/vibration/superpostion/index.html
this section on superposition and specifically;
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/superpostion/321/page_46
750.html

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/youngs-slits
series of relevant expts but for two-slits
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-

Nothing specifically on sound but some related


expts on waves and some guidance
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/waves

Meldes expt for standing waves on a string;


http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/meldes-experiment

Determination of the wavelength of


light and sound by two source
superposition with a double-slit and
diffraction grating (OCR)
Investigation of interference effects
to include the Youngs slit experiment
and interference by a diffraction
grating (AQA)

10

Optic bench laser,


slits
Also sig gen speakers
& microphone
Optic bench laser,
slits

episode 321
321-5 for measuring wavelength of a laser. Difficult
with two-slit because faint or with grating easier to
see pattern
For light as above
For sound Episode 321-1 has an expt for hearing
superpositipon

physics/diffraction-light
above for gratings

http://tap.iop.org/vibration/superpostion/index.html
this section on superposition and specifically;
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/superpostion/321/page_46
750.html
episode 321
321-5 for measuring wavelength of a laser. Difficult
with two-slit because faint or with grating easier to
see pattern

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/youngs-slits
series of relevant expts but for two-slits
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/diffraction-light
above for gratings

Reference to Practical Physics

Suggested activities

apparatus

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Investigate the relationship between


the force exerted on an object and its
change of momentum (Edexcel)

A number of options
but basic set up with
trolleys, runways and
falling loads would
work. Measure
acceleration using
light gates etc, or
falling load to hit
ground then measure
final velocity (single
light gate or ticker
tape). For this need
also to know time to
fall

This is essentially newtons 2nd law but time for force


might be measured and then change of velocity.
One light gate and speed measured after the falling
load hits the floor
http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/newton/211/page_46369
.html

Possibly video from


above & use tracker
or other software to

http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/momentum/220/page_4
6435.html
this has ideas of collisions & momentum conservation

Use ICT to analyse collisions between


small spheres, e.g. ball bearings on a
table top.(Edexcel)

momentum section;
http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/momentum/index.html
episode 222 has relevant activities on impulse of a
force
http://tap.iop.org/mechanics/momentum/222/page_4
6460.html
episode 222-3 has kicking football

(practicalphysics.org)
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/force-mass-and-acceleration-newtonssecond-law
for N2
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/force-used-kick-football
nice old Nuffield expt about kicking a football
there is a whole section on momentum;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/momentum

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/momentum

11

Use an oscilloscope or data logger to


display and analyse the potential
difference (p.d.) across a capacitor as
it charges and discharges through a
resistor.

Determining time constant using the


gradient of ln V or ln Itime graph
(OCR)

12

analyse
Capacitor simple
circuit, stopwatch or
pd sensor
Modern digital scopes
are now cheaper and
more flexible than a
traditional CRO.
Picoscope also

Simple circuit but


could use datalogging to record pd
against time then plot
& analyse

Section on capacitors;
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/index.html
decay of charge from a capacitors (episode 129);
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/129/page_461
97.html
also energy stored (episode 128);

This just helps with use of a CRO


http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/using-oscilloscope
there is nothing specific on capacitors

http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/128/page_461
77.html
Section on capacitors;
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/index.html
decay of charge from a capacitors (episode 129);
http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/129/page_461
97.html
also energy stored (episode 128);

Investigation of charge and discharge


of capacitors. Analysis techniques
should include log-linear plotting
leading to a determination of the
time constant RC (AQA)

As above

http://tap.iop.org/electricity/capacitors/128/page_461
77.html
As above

Calibrate a thermistor in a potential


divider circuit as a thermostat.
(Edexcel)

Simple apparatus with


thermistor + fixed
resistor (resistance
sub box to adjust to
most suitable value)

Episode 110 on resistance and temperature;


http://tap.iop.org/electricity/resistance/110/page_459
69.html
episode 110-2 is specifically on calibrating a
themistor

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/effect-temperature-thermistor
simple expt. There are other similar
investigations for other components and
obviously an LDR could be explored illuminated
by a lamp at different heights, or
solar cell whose emf and internal resistance
could also be explored under different light/heat
and with different loads

Suggested activities

apparatus

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Reference to Practical Physics


(practicalphysics.org)

13

14

Determine the specific latent heat of


a phase change. (Edexcel)

Heating water
measure weight loss
record energy
supplied using
SEPenergymeter

Episode 608 within the section on energy which has


sections on Kinetic Theory (episodes 601-603) and
thermal physics (604-608)
http://tap.iop.org/energy/thermal/608/page_47512.ht
ml

The section on energy has a number of exptl


investigations
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/thermal-energy
there is nothing specifically on latent heat

Determination of the specific heat


capacity of a material (OCR)

Can use SEP


energymeter
(SEP044)to do this
electrically and new
version allows data to
be loaded to a laptop
for analysis

Episode 607 has a straightforward approach to shc


http://tap.iop.org/energy/thermal/607/page_47500.ht
ml
an interesting extension would be to do this by a
method of mixtures

This section has a number of relevant expts for


shc mby different methods + guidance and ways
of discussing energy (stores & pathways which
is helpful
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/thermal-energy

Investigate the relationship between


pressure and volume of a gas at fixed
temperature. (Edexcel)

Standard Boyles Law


apparatus

Boyles Law. The kinetic theory section of the energy


episodes includes both Boyles law & the other ideal
gas laws.
Specifically episode 601-4 describes relationship
between pressure and volume. It looks at it both
macroscopically and microscopically with reference
to density of the gas (number of particles) which is
not traditional
http://tap.iop.org/energy/kinetic/601/page_47422.htm
l
the other laws (Charles (601-6) & pressure (601-5)
are also explored.

Boyles Law
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/boyles-law-0
Charles Law & Law of pressures;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/gas-laws-and-absolute-zero

Determining an estimate of absolute


zero using variation of gas
temperature with pressure (OCR)

Joly apparatus (glass


bulb attached to
pressure measuring
device (there are
digital versions now)

Episodes 601-5 & 601-6 drawn together to find


absolute zero
http://tap.iop.org/energy/kinetic/601/page_47422.htm
l

Charles Law & Law of pressures;


http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/gas-laws-and-absolute-zero

Investigation of Boyles Law (constant


temperature) and Charless (constant
pressure) law for a gas ( AQA)

Law of pressures and


Charles law
apparatus; there is a
simple cheap
capilliary tube
(graduated) for
Charles Law

Boyles Law. The kinetic theory section of the energy


episodes includes both Boyles law & the other ideal
gas laws.
Specifically episode 601-4 describes relationship
between pressure and volume. It looks at it both
macroscopically and microscopically with reference
to density of the gas (number of particles) which is
not traditional
http://tap.iop.org/energy/kinetic/601/page_47422.htm
l

Boyles Law
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/boyles-law-0
Charles Law & Law of pressures;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/gas-laws-and-absolute-zero

the other laws (Charles (601-6) & pressure (601-5)


are also explored.

Suggested activities

apparatus

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Reference to Practical Physics

Investigate the absorption of gamma


radiation by lead.(Edexcel)

There is an expt from


Nuffield A-level phys
which measures halfthickness for lead for
gamma radiation; it
provides a calibration
curve
Sources, detector &
set of absorbers.
Standard school kit
but expensive to buy
if not already in
school

http://tap.iop.org/atoms/radioactivity/511/page_4709
6.html
this episode 511 describes a range of absorption
investigation but not the specific absorption of
gamma by lead.

This is helpful but not directly

Section on Radioactivity for general support;


http://tap.iop.org/atoms/radioactivity/index.html
then specifically
http://tap.iop.org/atoms/radioactivity/510/page_4708
7.html
for properties of radiations, and then
http://tap.iop.org/atoms/radioactivity/511/page_4709
6.html
for some specific expts though nothing specifically on
half-thickness for gamma in lead

Section on Ionising Radiation and their


properties
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/ionising-radiations-and-their-properties

Investigation of the inverse square


law for gamma radiation (AQA)

Source + detector

As above

As above

Determine the value of an unknown


mass using the resonant frequencies
of the oscillation of known masses.
(Edexcel)

Simple mass on
springs arrangements
+ timing of no of
oscillations

The section of TAP on vibrations & waves


http://tap.iop.org/vibration/index.html
then more specifically the episode 303 on massspring systems
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/shm/303/page_46578.html
it is interesting to discuss arrangements of springs in
series and parallel (or combinations) to have an
appropriate stiffness to have a sensitive enough

There is a section within forces & motion on


SHM
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/simple-harmonic-motion
within that there is a further section;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/investigating-mass-spring-oscillator
on the mass & spring oscillator & opportunities

(practicalphysics.org)
15

Absorption of or or radiation
(OCR)

16

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/gamma-radiation-inverse-square-law

Suggested activities

17

apparatus

system to measure the unknown mass as precisely as


possible

for data-logging with a distance sensor


http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/datalogging-shm-mass-spring

Reference to TAP (tap.iop.org)

Reference to Practical Physics

Investigating the factors affecting the


period of a simple harmonic oscillator
(OCR)

As above but also possible to look at the simple


pendulum;
http://tap.iop.org/vibration/shm/304/page_46587.html

Investigation into simple harmonic


motion using a mass-spring system
and a simple pendulum (AQA)

As above

Determination of Planck's constant


using LEDs (OCR)

LED arrays (timstar


for example) are now
inexpensive enough
(approx. 25) to have
enough for a class
expt

There is a section on quantum physics


http://tap.iop.org/atoms/quantum/index.html
within which there is a section on Plancks constant
determination using an LED array;
http://tap.iop.org/atoms/quantum/501/page_47004.ht
ml
section 501-4
http://tap.iop.org/atoms/quantum/502/page_47014.ht
ml
describes the Photoelectric effect fro determining

(practicalphysics.org)
As above but also possible to look at the simple
pendulum;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/examples-simple-harmonic-motion
or a cantilever;
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/shm-cantilever
As above

Planck Constant but the apparatus is v expensive but


GREAT if you can get hold of it! (Episode 502-3)

18

Research skills (two examples


quoted);
The principles behind the operation
of the Global Positioning System
The use of radioactive materials as
tracers in medical imaging (OCR)

This is relevant only to


those who use OCR B
Advancing physics and
will be well understood
by them, though the
task would need to be
shorter than the
traditional two-week
research report

19

Investigate using a search coil and


oscilloscope, the effect on magnetic
flux linkage of varying the angle
between the search coli and the
magnetic field AQA)

Search coils (axial &


lateral) Helmholtz
coils work well but
any transformer coils

20

Investigate how the force on a wire


varies with flux density, current and
length of wire using a top-pan
balance. (AQA).

Section on Electromagnetism,
http://tap.iop.org/fields/electromagnetism/index.html
then
http://tap.iop.org/fields/electromagnetism/414/page_
46948.html
electromagnetic induction and specifically
episode 414-5 magnet falling through a coil

Nothing relevant in practical physics

http://tap.iop.org/fields/electromagnetism/412/page_
46925.html
then episode 412-3

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practicalphysics/force-wire-carrying-current-magneticfield

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