Pearson Science Double Award Practical 7: Physics Contexts

Double Award Physics practical questions connect measurements to models and uncertainty. This note maps the explicit 4SD0 practical points, plus the required experimental current-voltage treatment, without importing separate-Physics investigations.

Motion

Investigate an everyday object's motion using measured position and time. A toy car can pass light gates, cross marked distances recorded on video or be timed across a long path. Define the origin and reference point on the object. A longer interval reduces the fractional effect of stopwatch reaction time.

Plot distance against time for speed from gradient, or velocity against time for acceleration from gradient and displacement from area. Keep ramp angle, release point, surface and car constant when comparing a chosen independent variable. Release without an extra push.

Force and extension

Clamp the material securely beside a ruler and measure original length from a fixed reference. Add known loads, let oscillations settle and record loaded length. Calculate extension as loaded minus original length. Convert mass to force using $F=mg$.

Use small increments across a safe range for springs, metal wires or rubber bands. Plot force against extension and identify the initial linear region associated with Hooke's law. Unload to test elastic recovery. Wear eye protection, keep clear of falling masses and do not exceed a safe extension.

Current-voltage behaviour

Connect the ammeter in series and voltmeter in parallel across the component. Use a variable resistor or adjustable supply to vary voltage. Record paired current and voltage values, reversing polarity where appropriate for a diode.

For a resistor, switch off between readings if constant temperature is required. A filament lamp's temperature change is part of its non-ohmic behaviour, but uncontrolled overheating can still damage it. Begin on a safe meter range and reduce range only when readings permit.

Plot current against voltage with clear sign conventions. Shape, gradient and symmetry distinguish resistor, lamp and diode behaviour. Do not calculate one resistance and assume it applies across a curved graph.