Paper 1: Required Practicals Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the aim of the specific heat capacity practical?
To determine the specific heat capacity of one or more materials.
What is the method for finding specific heat capacity?
Heat a metal block of known mass using an immersion heater. Measure temperature change with a thermometer. Use a joulemeter or measure current and voltage over time. Apply the formula: Energy = mcΔT to calculate specific heat capacity (c).
What are some sources of error in the SHC practical?
Heat loss to surroundings, inaccurate temperature readings, poor thermal contact between heater and block.
What is the aim of the thermal insulation practical?
To investigate the effectiveness of different materials as thermal insulators.
What is the method for the thermal insulation practical?
Pour hot water into a beaker. Wrap with various insulating materials (e.g., bubble wrap, cotton wool). Record temperature drop over time.
How do you improve accuracy in the insulation practical?
Use a lid to reduce heat loss, ensure same starting temperature and volume of water, use identical beakers.
What is the aim of the resistance in a wire practical?
To investigate how the length of a wire affects its resistance.
How is the resistance in a wire practical carried out?
Connect wire to a circuit with an ammeter and voltmeter. Measure current and voltage for different lengths. Calculate resistance using R = V / I.
What is the expected relationship between wire length and resistance?
Resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire.
What is the aim of the I-V characteristics practical?
To investigate current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of a resistor, filament bulb, and diode.
What is the method for I-V characteristics practical?
Build a circuit with a variable resistor, ammeter, and voltmeter. Change voltage and measure current. Plot I-V graphs.
What do the I-V graphs show for different components?
Resistor: straight line through origin. Filament bulb: curve due to increasing resistance. Diode: current flows in one direction only.
What is the aim of the density practical?
To determine the density of solid and liquid materials.
How do you find the density of a solid object?
Measure mass using a balance. Use a displacement can to find volume. Calculate density using ρ = m / V.
How do you find the density of a liquid?
Measure mass of a known volume using a balance and measuring cylinder. Use ρ = m / V.
How are the SHC and insulation practicals different?
SHC practical measures energy stored when heating materials. Insulation practical measures how well materials reduce heat transfer.
