O-Level Physics Practical Planning Question Bank

How to use this bank

1. Spend five minutes outlining your own plan.\
2. Compare with the model notes; highlight what you missed.\
3. Practise converting the plan into a quick speech - some schools run viva discussions after Paper 3 mock labs.\
4. Keep a Planning checklist handy: aim, variables, method, safety, data analysis.

1 | Mechanics - determining spring constant with limited masses

Prompt: “Design an experiment to determine the spring constant of a light spring when only 50 g masses are available.”
Plan hits:

• Aim & variables: Measure extension vs load; independent variable = number of 50 g masses, dependent = extension, control temperature/drafts.\
• Apparatus: Clamp stand, metre rule, pointer at eye level, collection tray for masses.\
• Method: Hang spring, record initial length, add masses in steps (50–250 g), note extension, remove masses slowly to avoid oscillation.\
• Safety: Secure clamp base, keep feet clear of falling masses, use pointer to avoid parallax.\
• Data treatment: Plot load (N) vs extension (m) with best-fit line; gradient gives spring constant (k).\
• Evaluation hook: Mention repeating each load twice; note that small extensions help stay within elastic limit.

2 | Mechanics - estimating g using ticker tape

Prompt: “Outline a method to estimate gravitational acceleration using a ticker timer and a falling card strip.”
Plan hits:

• Aim: Determine g from uniformly accelerated motion.\
• Variables: Keep ticker frequency fixed (e.g. 50 Hz), drop height constant, card alignment vertical.\
• Method: Attach paper tape to card, thread through ticker timer, release from rest, count dot spacing over equal time intervals, calculate velocities.\
• Data: Compute velocities between successive 5-dot segments; plot velocity vs time, gradient ≈ g.\
• Safety: Keep hands clear of hot ticker dot stylus, ensure landing area is clear.\
• Evaluation: Mention ignoring first few dots (initial jerk) and repeating three times.

3 | Thermal - comparing insulation materials

Prompt: “Plan an experiment to compare how two insulation materials reduce heat loss from hot water.”
Plan hits:

• Variables: Independent = insulation type (material A vs B), dependent = cooling rate (temperature drop per minute), control initial water temperature and volume.\
• Apparatus: Two identical beakers, digital thermometer or datalogger, insulation wraps, stopwatch.\
• Method: Pour equal volumes of water at ~80 °C, wrap beakers, record temperature every minute for 15 min.\
• Safety: Handle hot water with tongs/cloth; keep beakers on heatproof mat.\
• Data: Plot temperature vs time; compare gradients.\
• Evaluation: Mention ambient temperature monitoring, swapping insulation between runs to reduce beaker variation.

4 | Thermal - latent heat using steam

Prompt: “Describe how you would measure the latent heat of vaporisation of water with a steam trap and calorimeter.”
Plan hits:

• Aim: Calculate (L_v) using energy balance between steam and water.\
• Variables: Independent = mass of condensed steam, dependent = temperature rise, control initial water mass/temperature.\
• Method: Pre-weigh calorimeter with water, pass dry steam through delivery tube into water until temperature rises by ~10 °C, dry tube, reweigh to find steam mass.\
• Safety: Use heatproof gloves, keep steam away from hands/face, ensure outlet directs condensate safely.\
• Data: Use energy balance: energy released by steam equals energy gained by water (and calorimeter if given). Rearrange to compute (L_v); subtract the term accounting for the steam cooling from 100 °C to the final temperature.\
• Evaluation: Mention insulating calorimeter, ensuring steam is dry, accounting for heat absorbed by the calorimeter (add calorimeter constant if given).

5 | Optics - refractive index of glass

Prompt: “Plan to determine the refractive index of a glass block using pins and paper.”
Plan hits:

• Aim: Use Snell’s law to find refractive index.\
• Variables: Independent = angle of incidence, dependent = angle of refraction, control block temperature, thickness, and ambient light.\
• Method: Draw outline of block, mark normal, insert incident ray with two pins, view refracted ray through block, mark emergent path, measure angles.\
• Safety: Handle pins carefully, place cork mat under paper.\
• Data: Calculate sin i, sin r for ≥5 angles; plot sin i vs sin r, gradient ≈ refractive index.\
• Evaluation: Mention pin spacing (~5 cm) for accuracy and taping block to prevent shift.

6 | Waves - ripple tank wave speed

Prompt: “Design a method to measure wave speed in a ripple tank using a stroboscope.”
Plan hits:

• Variables: Independent = frequency (via motor speed), dependent = wavelength, control water depth and lighting.\
• Method: Level tank, set motor, use stroboscope to freeze motion, measure distance across 10 crests with ruler, note frequency from motor scale.\
• Safety: Keep electrical components away from water, wipe spills immediately.\
• Data: Wave speed (v = f \lambda); include uncertainty in wavelength measurement.\
• Evaluation: Mention damping reflections with foam strips and allowing tank to settle before readings.

7 | Electricity - resistance of a nichrome wire

Prompt: “Outline a plan to determine the resistivity of a nichrome wire of unknown diameter.”
Plan hits:

• Variables: Independent = length of wire tested, dependent = resistance, control current (low to avoid heating).\
• Method: Measure wire diameter with micrometer (average three positions); set up circuit with rheostat, record voltage/current for multiple lengths using crocodile clips.\
• Safety: Switch off before changing connections, avoid overheating by keeping current low.\
• Data: Calculate resistance $R = V/I$; plot R vs length, gradient = resistivity / cross-sectional area.\
• Evaluation: Mention zero error checks on micrometer, ensuring good contact at clips, and repeating readings.

8 | Electricity - electromagnetic induction planning

Prompt: “Plan an investigation to study how the speed of a moving magnet affects the induced emf in a coil.”
Plan hits:

• Variables: Independent = speed of magnet, dependent = peak induced emf, control coil turns/area, magnet strength, and separation distance.\
• Method: Connect coil to datalogger/voltmeter, drop magnet through guide tube at different heights (speed proxies), record emf peaks, ensure magnet orientation consistent.\
• Safety: Keep fingers clear of drop path, cushion magnet landing.\
• Data: Plot peak emf vs estimated speed; discuss polarity reversal and flux linkage.\
• Evaluation: Mention repeating runs, zeroing sensor, and aligning tube to reduce lateral motion.

Sources

1. SEAB, GCE O-Level Physics (6091) Syllabus 2026

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