BISHOP ANSTEY HIGH SCHOOL EAST AND

TRINITY COLLEGE EAST (BATCE)

Sixth Form
TRINCITY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WEST INDIES

CENTRE NO. 160570

CXC CAPE Physics

Unit 2 Lab Manual
2015-2016

c Copyright by Bishop Anstey High School East and Trinity College East
(BATCE) 2015
All Rights Reserved

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Rules and Regulations of the Laboratory

1. All experiments in this laboratory manual must be performed and written scripts
for each experiment must be submitted to your class teacher to obtain a practical
coursework mark.

2. Commencement of sessions: You are expected to be at your experiment station punc-

tually.

3. Preparation: Laboratory manuals are available at the class website. These manuals
contain a description of all the laboratory experiments that must be performed as
part of the requirements for CAPE Physics SBAs. Students are required to prepare
adequately for their assigned laboratory experiment prior the start of the session.
Preparation includes reading the experimental description adequately and perform-
ing the necessary research to enable one to perform the experiment with ease in the
laboratory.

4. Starting experiments: All laboratory equipment must be checked prior to students

commencing their experiments. DO NOT switch ON equipment until it is checked
by your teacher!!

5. Laboratory report submission: All laboratory reports must be submitted to the class
teacher ONLY on the date it is due. If your laboratory report submission date falls
on a public holiday, then the report must be submitted on the next available school
day. Laboratory reports must be submitted with the appropriate cover sheet (with all
the details completed) and a signed anti-plagiarism sheet. Students will given until
the following day, of performing the experiment, at 10:30am (break time) to submit
their lab reports. At this time the student would sign the teachers lab record book as
evidence the lab was submitted.

6. Absenteeism: Students absent from any experiment must provide a medical/excuse

to administration.

7. Students who are absent on the day of the lab practical activity would be scheduled
with the lab technician to perform the lab within a one week period from the date of

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 the missed lab. They are to sign the lab technicians rcord book with the date the lab
was performed. This report would be due the following day at 10:30am.
8. Students who fail to submit their lab reports at the deadline would be marked as no
work submitted. Special allowances would be given to studetns with a valid excuse,
for example a death in the family or physical injury. This excuse must be confirmed
via a note and phone call from the parents or medical where applicable, on the day
the report is due.
9. Laboratory requirements: For each laboratory session students are required to bring
their laboratory manual, writing paper, graph pages, a scientific calculator and other
stationery items inclusive of pen/pencils, erasers, rulers and geometrical instruments
(if needed for the laboratory experiment).
10. Laboratory attire: Students are required to wear a laboratory coat and closed shoes
while present in the laboratory.
11. Work stations: Students must remain at their assigned work station for the duration
of the laboratory session. If a student needs to leave the work station, permission
must be sought and granted from the class teacher.
12. Difficulties with an experiment: Students experiencing difficulties with experiments
should seek assistance from their class teacher.
13. At the end of each laboratory session: At the end of each experiment, students are
required to take all their results to their teacher for review and correction. These
results pages must be signed by the teacher and must be included in the laboratory
report. The signed results pages must not be altered after the teacher has fixed his/her
signature. Students must seek the permission of the teacher prior to the exiting of the
laboratory at the end of each session. Additionally, before students leave their work
station they must ensure that they have removed all their personal belongings and
replaced all equipment to the designated area. A check of equipment assigned to
each student will be made by the technicians at the end of each laboratory exercise.
Students should not leave the laboratory until this check is made. Students will have
to pay a compensation fee for missing or broken equipment.
14. Copying and plagiarism in the lab scripts are strictly forbidden. Plagiarized work
will not be marked.
15. General rules: Students are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke in the laboratory.
The use of the internet is strictly permitted for laboratory research only.
16. Mobile phones: The use of mobile phones is not permitted for the duration of the
laboratory session unless approval is given.

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Policy Principles

Practical work and lab reports are an important part of the students understanding of the
subject area. They provide an avenue where theory taught in the classroom can be tested,
applied and/or proved. Practical work engages students, helps them to develop important
skills, to understand the process of scientific investigation and develop their understanding
of concepts.
Lab Reports form 20% of the students Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations
(CAPE) Physics grade.
Timely submission of work ensures students can receive timely feedback from their
teachers. Also scripts written up during the practical activity ensures that the students
recall information clearly about the experimental procedure (e.g. the method, sources of
error, teachers guidelines).

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Format for Written Reports

0. Cover Sheet
Title of Experiment, your name, date that experiment was performed, partners names.
(First and last names. Get the spelling right!)

1. Title
Titles should be straightforward, informative, and less than ten words (i.e. Not "Lab #4"
but "Lab #4: Sample Analysis using the Debye-Sherrer Method").

2. Aim/Objective(s)
3. Theory/ Introduction
1-2 paragraphs. Summarize the basic physics of your experiment. Include equations and
other principle things the reader would need to know in order to understand the experiment.
Keep it short!
If there are standard or accepted values known these should be included in this section.

4. Apparatus
This can usually be a simple list, but make sure it is accurate and complete.

5. Diagram
These should be clearly labelled with a title.

6. Method/ Procedure/ Experimental Details

This section describes the process in chronological order. Using clear paragraph structure
(or step by step format), explain all steps in the order they actually happened, not as they

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were supposed to happen. If youve done it right, another researcher should be able to
duplicate your experiment. It is always written in past tense.

7. Precautions & Sources of Error

Indicate what steps were taken to reduce/eliminate random and systematic errors.
Note: Mistakes are not classified as errors.

8. Results
The original raw data that you take in the lab. This should be easy to follow, in tabular form.
Poor data recording skills lead to poor writeups. If your raw data is illegible, the grade will
suffer. The table should have a title and include the uncertainty of the measurement as well
as the unit in the heading (e.g. Variable uncertainty in the measurement/ unit).

9. Sample Calculations
Include a few of your calculations in this section, e.g. one of each type. Do not show each
and every calculation.

10. General Analysis

The computed results are shown in a clear and concise manner utilizing properly labelled
tables and graphs. Table/Graph showing results is not an appropriate title. Each column
of the table must have a heading and units, if applicable. Tables must be bordered by
4 lines and neatly constructed. If a graph is to be drawn, it must include the following:
title, appropriate scales, accurate plotting of points, drawing best straight line (smooth
lines through experimental data points) and labeling of axes. Slope calculations should
be included after the graph. Each graph should convey a complete message and be fully
understandable without referring to any other section in the report.

11. Error Analysis

This section must include the pertinent computed uncertainties (error estimates). It is im-
portant here that the rule governing significant figures be used in computing and displaying
these values.

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12. Discussion
This is the most important part of your report, because here, you show that you understand
the experiment beyond the simple level of completing it. Explain. Analyse. Interpret.
Some people like to think of this as the "subjective" part of the report. By that, they mean
this is what is not readily observable. This part of the lab focuses on a question of under-
standing "What is the significance or meaning of the results?" To answer this question, use
both aspects of discussion:
Analysis: What do the results indicate clearly? What have you found? Explain what
you know with certainty based on your results and draw conclusions.
Interpretation: What is the significance of the results? What ambiguities exist? What
questions might we raise? Find logical explanations for problems in the data.
The experimental results should be compared with predicted values. If known values
exist, the results should be compared with these and a reference given (see below). Dis-
crepancies should be considered in the light of the experimental error obtained and other
random and systematic errors not evaluated numerically in Results. If no known value is
available, it is still important to consider all the possible errors. Then discuss the experi-
ment in general, its advantages and failings, procedural difficulties, ways of improving it
etc.
If any questions are asked in the lab manual, they should be answered in this section of
the report.

13. Final Results with Errors and Conclusion

This should indicate how well the experiments have fulfilled the aims stated at the begin-
ning. Simply state what you know now for sure, as a result of the lab, and justify your
statement.

14. References
Any source of material used in the report should be listed here.

Note:
Labs are always to follow this format except for planning and design labs. Labs are to be
communicated in a logical way using correct grammar and spelling.

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Contents

Rules and Regulations of the Laboratory iii

Policy Principles v

Format for Written Reports vi

1 Lab #1: Electrostatics 1

2 Lab #2 - ORR: Capacitance 3

3 Lab #3 - ORR: Capacitor Discharge 5

4 Lab #4 - ORR & MM: EMF and Internal Resistance 8

5 Lab #5 - ORR: Determining the resistance of a voltmeter 11

6 Lab #6 - A&I: Resistance per unit length of wire D 14

7 Lab #7 - P&D: P.D. and I relationship across a filament 16

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x CONTENTS
Chapter 1

Lab #1: Electrostatics

A leaf electrometer consists of an aluminum leaf which hangs at an angle to the vertical
when a potential difference VXY is applied betweeen the metal cap X and the conducting
case Y of the electrometer.

Figure 1.1: Leaf Electrometer

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2 CHAPTER 1. LAB #1: ELECTROSTATICS

It is calibrated by connecting different values of VXY across XY , with the following

results:

VXY /V 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
/ 11 14 18 23 30 37 45 53 62 69 74 78
Table 1.1:

a) Plot a graph of against VXY .

b) The rate of change of with VXY is known as the sensitivity of the electrometer.

Over what range of potential differences is the sensitivity approximately constant?

Calculate the sensitivity over this range. Show all your working.

c) It is suggested that, between 300V and 700V , the potential difference is proportional to
sin .

Draw up a suitable table of values and plot a graph to test this suggestion. Does your graph
support the suggestion?
Chapter 2

Lab #2 - ORR: Capacitance

To determine a capacitance by measuring the time constant

of RC circuits
In this experiment you are to determine a capacitance by measuring the time constant of
RC circuits. Record all observations and deductions in your lab book.

a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.1 using a 10 k resistor for R. Make sure that
both switches are open.

Figure 2.1: RC Circuit

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4 CHAPTER 2. LAB #2 - ORR: CAPACITANCE

Close switch A and wait for the voltmeter reading to reach V0 , its maximum value. Record
V0 and the value of S, where S = 0.632 V0 .
Open A and close B to discharge the capacitor.

b) The time constant of the circuit is equal to the time taken for the voltage to reach S
after switch A is closed with the capacitor initially discharged and switch B open.
Measure the time constant of the circuit as accurately as you can.

c) Replace the 10 k resistor with one of the other resistors and determine the new value
for . Repeat the procedure until you have values of the time constant for circuits
containing each of the resistors provided.

Tabulate all your values of and R, the value of the resistance used.

d) Use a graph page and plot a graph of /s (y-axis) against R/k(x-axis).

Given that = RC, use the graph to obtain a value for C, the capacitance of C.

e) The resistance values are quoted to a tolerance of 1%. State a range of values in which
the true value of capacitance might lie. Show how you arrived at your answer.
Chapter 3

Lab #3 - ORR: Capacitor Discharge

To investigate the rate at which a capacitor discharges through

a voltmeter

Part 1
(a)(i) Connect the circuit shown in Fig. 3.1. You should ensure that the postive (+) terminal
of the power supply is connected to the + terminal of the capacitor C1 (blue). Initially
switch S should be closed.

Figure 3.1: Capacitor Circuit

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6 CHAPTER 3. LAB #3 - ORR: CAPACITOR DISCHARGE

(ii) Record the inital reading Vo of the analogue voltmeter.

(b) (i) Open switch S and simultaneously start a stopwatch.
(ii) Measure and record values of the potential difference V and time t until
the reading on the voltmeter becomes less than Vo /10.
(c) (i) Plot a graph of V (y-axis) against t (x-axis).
(ii) Use your graph to determine the time for the potential difference across
the capacitor to fall from Vo to Vo /5.
(d) (i) and C are related by the formula
= CRv ln5
where Rv is the resistance of the voltmeter and
C is the capacitance of the capacitor C1 .
Use your answer from (c) (ii) and the value of the capacitance C
(written on the capacitor) to determine a value for Rv .
(ii) Justify the number of significant figures which you have given for Rv .

Part 2
(e) (i) Connect a second capacitor C2 (yellow) in series with the first capacitor C1 (blue) so that
the circuit is now as shown in Fig. 3.2

Figure 3.2: Capacitor Series Circuit

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(ii) Repeat (b)(i) and (b)(ii).

(f) (i) For the second set of results and using the same set of axes as before,
plot a graph of V against t.
(ii) Use the graph to determine a value for the capacitance of the capacitor C2 .
Chapter 4

Lab #4 - ORR & MM: EMF and

Internal Resistance

Apparatus
Dry cell, digital ammeter (0 0.20 A) whose resistance is known, decade resistance box,
switch, connecting wires,
metal film resistors (1.1k, 2.2k, 3.3k, 5.5k, 10.0k, 12.0k, 15.0k, 18.0k).

Figure 4.1: Circuit

Method
Connect up the circuit as shown in the diagram, figure 4.1.

Take 100 out of the resistance box and, if the current is measurable on the ammeter

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scale record both the current and the resistance box reading.

Gradually reduce the resistance of the box until the current has risen to about 0.1A.
Tabulate the results:

Resistance box Ammeter reading 1/I (A1 )

reading R () I (A)

Table 4.1:

Plot a graph with values of R/ as ordinates (y-axis) against the corresponding value
of 1
I (A1 ) as abscissae (x-axis).

Experimental Details
1. The current through most resistance boxes should never exceed about 0.1A.

2. Before taking any readings give all the plugs in the resistance box a half-turn to
ensure that they are properly in.

3. If the resistance box possesses an infinity plug it may be used instead of a circuit key.

4. Check the ammeter for zero error and if necessary re-set for zero reading by the
adjusting screw provided.

Theory and calculation

Let E represent the e.m.f. of the cell, RC its internal resistance, supposed constant, R the
resistance box reading, RA the resistance of the ammeter and I the current in the circuit.
Then

E
=I (4.1)
R + RC + RA
10 CHAPTER 4. LAB #4 - ORR & MM: EMF AND INTERNAL RESISTANCE

Therefore,
 
1
R=E (RC + RA ) (4.2)
I

Hence, the graph of R/ (ordinates) against 1I (A1 ) (abscissae) is a straight line whose
slope is the magnitude of E and whose negative intercept on the R axis is the magnitude of
(RC + RA ).
Measure the slope from the co-ordinates of two convenient points on the straight line.
Produce the line to cut the axis of R and read off the intercept. Subtract the ammeter
resistance to find the internal resistance RC of the cell.

Errors and accuracy

The error in R may be neglected in comparison with the much larger possible error in I
which depends on the range, sensitivity and scale markings of the ammeter used. From the
graph estimate the likely errors in E and RC from the difference between the values found
from the chosen line and those obtained from other possible straight lines drawn through
the points (see the handout on Errors, Uncertainties & their Analysis).
Chapter 5

Lab #5 - ORR: Determining the

resistance of a voltmeter

Apparatus
Analogue Voltmeter reading to 1.5 or 3V, two accumulators, 4 batteries with battery holder,
resistance box of total resistance not less than 1000 , switch, leads with alligator clips,
metal film resistors (1k, 1.5k, 2.2k, 3.3k, 4.7k, 5.5k, 8k, 9.4k).

Figure 5.1: Circuit

Method
Connect up the circuit as shown in the diagram, figure 5.1.

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12CHAPTER 5. LAB #5 - ORR: DETERMINING THE RESISTANCE OF A VOLTMETER

Take out a large resistance from the resistance box R and note whether any reading
is obtained on the voltmeter scale. Decrease R until the voltmeter reading is at its
maximum on the scale. Record the resistance R and the voltmeter reading V .

Increase R in suitable steps to make full use of the voltmeter scale. Tabulate the
results:

Resistance box Voltmeter 1/V (V 1 )

reading R () reading V (V )

Table 5.1:

Plot a graph with values of R/ as ordinates (y-axis) against the corresponding value
of 1
V (V 1 ) as abscissae (x-axis).

Experimental Details
1. The current through most resistance boxes should never exceed about 0.1A.

2. Before taking any readings give all the plugs in the resistance box a half-turn to
ensure that they are properly in.

3. If the resistance box possesses an infinity plug it may be used instead of a circuit key.

4. Check the ammeter for zero error and if necessary re-set for zero reading by the
adjusting screw provided.

Theory and calculation

Let E represent the total e.m.f. of the circuit, R the resistance box reading, V the voltmeter
reading, and RV the resistance of the voltmeter.
 13

Then the current I in the circuit is

E
I= (5.1)
R + RV
assuming the resistance of the accumulators in the circuit to be negligible.
Hence, the voltage across the voltmeter is

E
V = IRV = RV (5.2)
R + RV
Rearranging,

1
R + RV = ERV (5.3)
V
or

1
R = ERV RV (5.4)
V

Thus, the graph of R/ (ordinates) against 1

V (V 1 ) (abscissae) is a straight line whose
negative intercept on the R axis is the magnitude of RV .

Errors and accuracy

The error in R may be neglected in comparison with the much larger possible error in V
which depends on the range, sensitivity and scale markings of the voltmeter used. From
the graph estimate the likely errors in RV from the difference between the values found
from the chosen line and those obtained from other possible straight lines drawn through
the points (see the handout on Errors, Uncertainties & their Analysis).
Chapter 6

Lab #6 - A&I: Resistance per unit length

of wire D

Apparatus

1.5V dry cell, analogue ammeter, connecting wires with alligator clips, switch, meter rule,
100cm length of wire (wire B), and 15cm length of wire (wire D).

Figure 6.1: Circuit

In this experiment you will use a wire (labelled B) of known resistance per unit length
(which should be taken to be 4.00 m1 ) to find the combined resistance of a cell and an
ammeter. You will use this value to find the resistance per unit length of a second wire
(labelled D).

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 15

Procedure
(a) Set up the circuit of figure 6.1.

(b) For different lengths of wire B in the circuit, record the following quantities in a table

S the scale reading of the current as shown on the ammeter,

b the length of wire B used,
Rb the resistance of length b of wire B, and
1/S

(c) Insert 15.0 cm of wire D between the switch and the cell. Repeat the procedure of

part (b), record your readings in your table.

(d) Both graphs are of the form

1
Rb = k r (6.1)
S
where k is a constant, and r is the resistance of the other components of the circuit used.

Plot graphs of your values from (b) and (c). For your graphs, use the same axes and
scales, extending the R/ axis to include R/ = 2.

(e) Deduce from the graphs values for

(i) the combined resistance of the cell and ammeter,

(ii) the resistance of the length of wire D used in (c). Hence calculate the resistance per
unit length of wire D.

(You may assume that the circuit leads have negligible resistance.)
Chapter 7

Lab #7 - P&D: P.D. and I relationship

across a filament

Objective
In this experiment you will investigate the relationship between the potential difference
across a filament and the current in it.

Instructions
Choosing from the apparatus provided, set up a circuit to enable you to investigate the
relationship

V In (7.1)

where V = the p.d. across the filament lamp,

I = the current in the filament
and n is a constant, the value of which you are to determine.

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