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Physics Practical Activities

Examples of physics practical activities

Mechanics

Suitable practical activity

Measuring "g" by freefall.

Reason why activity is suitable

This experiment requires very accurate measurement of distance, a correction being made for parallax, and a graphical analysis. It also provides a verifiable quantitative result.

Unsuitable practical activity

Measurement of speed/acceleration of a glider on an air track.

Reason why activity is not suitable

This experiment has a simple concept, requires very limited measurements by the learner, and does not provide a verifiable quantitative result. It could potentially be upgraded to a suitable practical if more complex conservation of momentum concepts are investigated, and a known quantity (such as the mass of one of the gliders) is determined.

Electronics

Suitable practical activity

Measuring capacitance of an unknown capacitor with an oscilloscope.

Reason why activity is suitable

This experiment requires the use of more challenging equipment in the form of an oscilloscope and supports more complex theory at SCQF level 6. It also provides a verifiable quantitative result.

Unsuitable practical activity

Proof of Ohm's Law.

Reason why activity is not suitable

This experiment only requires making a limited number of simple measurements from digital equipment and the concept being investigated is below SCQF level 6.

Waves

Suitable practical activity

Wavelength of a laser using a D diffraction grating.

Reason why activity is suitable

This experiment requires very accurate manual measurement and supports theory at SCQF level 6. It also provides a verifiable quantitative result.

Unsuitable practical activity

Measuring wavelength of waves in a ripple tank.

Reason why activity is not suitable

This experiment involves making relatively simple measurements and does not provide a verifiable quantitative result.

Gas laws

Suitable practical activity

Validation of Boyle's Law via a graphical method.

Reason why activity is suitable

A validation experiment that involves numerous measurements, and use of a graph of P vs 1/V to provide a quantitative proof through the R^2 value of a linear fit is acceptable, due to the number of readings needed and the more extensive processing steps.

Unsuitable practical activity

Validation of Boyle's Law via 2 points.

Reason why activity is not suitable

A simple validation using 2 points to show the relationship between P and V is not acceptable due to the small number of measurements, the simple processing, and the lack of quantitative proof.