Applied Science Physics practical set ups
Resistance in a wire:
1. Set up the apparatus by connecting two crocodile clips to the thin
resistance wire a distance of 10 cm apart and setting the power supply to
1.5 V
2. Connect the wire, using the clips, to the rest of the circuit
3. Record the potential difference from the voltmeter and current from the
ammeter
4. Move the clips in 10 cm intervals further apart
5. Take new measurements from the voltmeter and ammeter for each length
reading
6. Continue until the crocodile clips are a length of 1 m apart
Light dependent resistors:
1. Connect an ammeter in series with the diode to measure current through the diode.
2. Connect a voltmeter in parallel with the diode to measure the potential
difference across it.
3. Use a variable resistor in series with the diode to vary the potential difference across
the diode.
4. Start with a potential difference of zero and increase the potential difference by an
interval of 0.2V up to 2V.
5. Recording the reading on the voltmeter and ammeter.
6. Reverse the connections on the battery and repeat steps 4 and 5 to find the I-V
relationship for negative potential difference and current.
Thermistor:
• Power source
• Thermistor
• Fixed resistor
• Ohm-meter
• Bunsen burner, tripod and gauze
• Beaker filled with crushed ice
• Stirring rod
• Liquid in glass or mercury thermometer with range -10 - 100oC
• Set up the equipment with the thermistor immersed in the ice, the ohm-meter
connected to record the resistance of the thermistor by placing it in parallel across it,
and the fixed resistor in series with the thermistor
• Place the beaker of ice onto the tripod, without lighting the Bunsen burner
• Measure and record the temperature and reading on the ohm-meter
• Light the Bunsen burner and keep to a gentle flame
• Stir the ice / water gently at all times to keep the temperature as even as possible
throughout the beaker
• At approximately 5oC intervals record the new temperature and resistance reading
• Continue until the water is boiling
Key points:
The ammeter is connected in series to the component
The voltmeter is connected in parallel to the component
The component with the appropriate circuit symbol
The component is connected to a power supply with a low voltage (below 15 V)
otherwise too high a current in the circuit will start to affect the resistance of the
component
Specific heat capacity
Start by assembling the apparatus, placing the heater into the top of the block
Measure the initial temperature of the aluminium block from the thermometer
Turn on the power supply and start the stopwatch
Whilst the power supply is on, the heater will heat up the block. Take several periodic
measurements, eg. every 1 minute of the voltage and current from the voltmeter and ammeter
respectively, calculating an average for each at the end of the experiment up to 10 minutes
Switch off the power supply, stop the stopwatch and leave the apparatus for about a minute. The
temperature will still rise before it cools
Monitor the thermometer and record the final temperature reached for the block
ΔE = mcΔθ
Where:
o ΔE = change in thermal energy, in joules (J)
o m = mass, in kilograms (kg)
o c = specific heat capacity, in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg °C)
o Δθ = change in temperature, in degrees Celsius (°C)
Rearranging for the specific heat capacity, c: