Resources by School Physics
Displaying 21 - 30 of 41
Newton’s rings
A detailed investigation to measure the wavelength of sodium light. This could be tied into red shift and the absorption spectrum. Some specific equipment like a travelling microscope is required but should be accessible for most.
Ohm’s law
The aim of this investigation is to see the variation of current with applied voltage for two bulbs and compare with Ohm’s Law. The ones recommended here are a 12V lamp and a small neon bulb. You can then plot graphs of resistance against voltage to compare the two.
This resource has been provided by Keith...
Parallel plate capacitor
In this A-level investigation you will look at the factors that affect the properties of a parallel plate capacitor. You can alter the area of overlap or the spacing’s between the plates to see how this impacts on the results.
This resource has been provided by Keith Gibbs.
Photoelectric effect
This is a common investigation using a bulb and coloured filters to determine the value of Planck’s constant (h). An oscilloscope is required and advice on the settings required are given.
This resource has been provided by Keith Gibbs.
Radius of gyration
In this investigation you roll a cylinder down a slope to see how altering the inclination of the slope affects its speed to calculate the radius the gyration (k) from the given equation. This would fit in well to circular motion.
Resistivity of metal wires
This builds on from GCSE work on resistance to investigate the resistivity of a series of metals in the form of wires. This is common and simple investigation where students can look at developing their measuring skills, especially with calculating the area of the wires.
Resistors in series and parallel
Two videos for investigating resistance in series and parallel circuits. The first video demonstrates the experiment to measure voltage and current, and the second calculates the resistance values. This is a required practical for students to be able to understand and carry out for GCSE Combined Science and Physics...
This collection of resources look at many different investigations that can be undertaken with A-level students and covers many required practical pieces of work, alongside other activities which offer alternatives to commonly used work. Lots build on the work students will have done lower down in school and cover...
Searles bar: thermal conductivity of copper
This investigation fits in well in material properties where you can investigate and determine the thermal conductivity of a good conductor such as copper. Searle’s Bar apparatus is required for this, but you could develop your own by looking at CLEAPPS for advice.
Sonometer
This is a variation on the standing waves investigation and follows a similar set up. You investigate the connection between the tension, length and frequency of a stretched wire.