Physics practical

Ordinary level Tanzania

LEARNER’S BOOK

By Ben O. Mutalemwa
B.Sc. (Ed)
 PHYSICS PRACTICALS

PHYSICS PRACTICALS O'LEVEL

LEANER'S BOOK

Mwl. Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa

Physics for Secondary School, Form 1 - 4
Copyright
This work is protected by United Republic of Tanzania copyright laws and is provided solely
for the use of instructors in teaching their courses and assessing student learning Physics.
Dissemination or sale of any part of this work (including on the World Wide Web) will
destroy the integrity of the work and is not permitted. The work and materials from it should
never be made available to students except by instructors using the accompanying text in
their classes. All recipients of this work are expected to abide by these restrictions and to
honour the intended pedagogical purposes and the needs of other instructors who rely on
these materials.

© 2020 Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa

This book is written using the curriculums developed and approved by Tanzania Institute of
Education collectively for a learner of Physics form 1 - 4.

ISBN 978-9987-452-39-2

Mwl. Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa

Physics for Secondary Education Form 3 & 4
P. O. Box 67372,
Tegeta Kibaoni, Kinondoni
Dar es Salaam,
Tel: +255 752 575 000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.omulangira.ac.tz
 PHYSICS PRACTICALS O'LEVEL

Preface
Physics Book is the first writing in my exciting series expected to be useful specifically for
the Form One up to Form Four Secondary school learners in accordance to Tanzania systems
of education.
First and foremost in the minds of the author has been a desire to write a text that will support
students learning physics in form one up to form four while making the subject interesting,
enjoyable and meaningful, which is already accomplished. Separating practical works, into
this book wasn’t an easy task but due to the high demand of making laboratory technicians
load lesser and organize the lab accordingly before the practical session easy, I was obliged to
write it.
The book has been written using clear and concise language throughout, and all concepts
have been fully explored first in general and then illustrated in context. Much care has been
taken to use illustrative material that is clear.
The book boasts many features that will help students and teachers find it easy to use. Each of
the book’s thirteen chapters has been designed to reinforce the main points in the topic that
demand activities.
It is therefore, my sincere hope this book will catalyze you in studying Physics

Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa,

Kerege Bookshop,
P. O. Box 107
Bagamoyo - Tanzania.
6 Table of Contents

Acknowledgement
This text is a result of team work done by professional teachers from different schools in East
Africa but mostly in Tanzania and experienced editors, who have worked efficiently in order
to give out a better product to all learners and educators who are the main target of this book.
I could see far only because I was able to stand on the shoulders of the giants.

This is to thank the folks who paved the way for this book to be completed.
Mr. L. Kyarwenda…………….……………………..………….………Canossa High School
Mr. Y. Jabir………………..….……………………..………….………Canossa High School
Mr. E. Masanja ………………………………..……………...……...…Tabora girls’ School
Mr. S. Odhiambo………………………………..……………...……... Kericho High School
Mad. A. Kinemo ……………………………………………………….. St. Fransis School
Mr. M. Luchagula ………………………………..……………...……Tengeru Boys’ School
Mr. R. Mwakyanjala ………………………………..………….………Canossa High School

Thanks are also due to Mr. F. Kagoro, Mr. H. Mdemle, Mr. V. Richard and Ms. B. Massawe
for advice on certain matters relating to how the book should be set and for their detailed
analysis on the various issues parts connect to E.A.C curriculums demand.

Acknowledgement is made to my wife Magdalene for typing and again undertaking the re-
type after several advises offered by my colleagues.
My children Bertha, Benson, Beatrice and Brighton are also not forgotten for offering their
ample time to me so as to accomplish the task of preparing this wholesome book.

Mwalimu Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa

Author
Table of Contents
General Qualities of this Book 1
The Laboratory Work ........................................................................................................ 1

Book Overview 3
Welcome Note..................................................................................................................... 3
General Competence .......................................................................................................... 3

Why this Book? 4

How to Conduct Experiment ............................................................................................. 4
How to Manage the Laboratory ......................................................................................... 4
Ordering/Procurement Skills ............................................................................................. 4
Stocking/ Storage Skills .................................................................................................... 4
Calibration Skills ............................................................................................................... 5
Maintenance Skills ............................................................................................................ 5
Main Source of Errors ....................................................................................................... 5
Laboratory Management.................................................................................................... 6
Laboratory Safety Measures .............................................................................................. 6
How to Organize the Laboratory ....................................................................................... 7

Risk Assessment in the Laboratory 8

Risks Assessment .............................................................................................................. 8
Identify the Risks ............................................................................................................... 8
Control ............................................................................................................................... 9

Lab Preparation Before the Activity 10

Check List ........................................................................................................................ 10
Area of Assessment ......................................................................................................... 10
Key Responsibilities in the Lab ....................................................................................... 11
24 Hours Instructions ...................................................................................................... 11
Quality of a Good Graph ................................................................................................. 12
Minimizing Errors ........................................................................................................... 12
Points to be Noted ........................................................................................................... 13
The common Nature of Linear Graphs ............................................................................ 14

Chapter 1 15
Density ............................................................................................................................. 15
Laboratory Work 01 ............................................................................................... 15
Laboratory Work 02 ............................................................................................... 16
Laboratory Work 03 ............................................................................................... 17
Laboratory Work 04 ............................................................................................... 18
8 Table of Contents

Chapter 2 19
Archimedes’ Principle ..................................................................................................... 19
Laboratory Work 05 ............................................................................................... 19
Laboratory Work 06 ............................................................................................... 20
Laboratory Work 07 ............................................................................................... 21
Laboratory Work 08 ............................................................................................... 22
Laboratory Work 09 ............................................................................................... 23
Laboratory Work 10 ............................................................................................... 24
Laboratory Work 11 ............................................................................................... 25

Chapter 3 26
Forces in Equilibrium ...................................................................................................... 26
Laboratory Work 12 ............................................................................................... 26
Laboratory Work 13 ............................................................................................... 27
Laboratory Work 14 ............................................................................................... 28
Laboratory Work 15 ............................................................................................... 29
Laboratory Work 16 ............................................................................................... 30
Laboratory Work 17 ............................................................................................... 31
Laboratory Work 18 ............................................................................................... 32
Laboratory Work 19 ............................................................................................... 33
Laboratory Work 20 ............................................................................................... 34
Laboratory Work 21 ............................................................................................... 35
Laboratory Work 22 ............................................................................................... 36
Laboratory Work 23 ............................................................................................... 37
Laboratory Work 24 ............................................................................................... 38
Laboratory Work 25 ............................................................................................... 39
Laboratory Work 26 ............................................................................................... 40
Laboratory Work 27 ............................................................................................... 41
Laboratory Work 28 ............................................................................................... 42
Laboratory Work 29 ............................................................................................... 43
Laboratory Work 30 ............................................................................................... 44

Chapter 4 45
Properties of Matter ......................................................................................................... 45
Laboratory Work 31 ............................................................................................... 45
Laboratory Work 32 ............................................................................................... 46
Laboratory Work 33 ............................................................................................... 47
Laboratory Work 34 ............................................................................................... 48
Laboratory Work 35 ............................................................................................... 49
Laboratory Work 36 ............................................................................................... 50
Laboratory Work 37 ............................................................................................... 51
Laboratory Work 38 ............................................................................................... 52
Laboratory Work 39 ............................................................................................... 53
Chapter 5 54
Simple Harmonic Motion ................................................................................................ 54
Laboratory Work 40 ............................................................................................... 54
Laboratory Work 41 ............................................................................................... 55
Laboratory Work 42 ............................................................................................... 56
Laboratory Work 43 ............................................................................................... 57
Laboratory Work 44 ............................................................................................... 58
Laboratory Work 45 ............................................................................................... 59
Laboratory Work 46 ............................................................................................... 60
Laboratory Work 47 ............................................................................................... 61
Laboratory Work 48 ............................................................................................... 62
Laboratory Work 49 ............................................................................................... 63
Laboratory Work 50 ............................................................................................... 64
Laboratory Work 51 ............................................................................................... 65
Laboratory Work 52 ............................................................................................... 66
Laboratory Work 53 ............................................................................................... 67
Laboratory Work 54 ............................................................................................... 68
Laboratory Work 55 ............................................................................................... 69
Laboratory Work 56 ............................................................................................... 70
Laboratory Work 57 ............................................................................................... 71

Chapter 6 72
Friction ............................................................................................................................ 72
Laboratory Work 58 ............................................................................................... 72

Chapter 7 73
Heat .................................................................................................................................. 73
Laboratory Work 59 ............................................................................................... 73
Laboratory Work 60 ............................................................................................... 74
Laboratory Work 61 ............................................................................................... 75
Laboratory Work 62 ............................................................................................... 76
Laboratory Work 63 ............................................................................................... 77

Chapter 8 78
Light in Plane Mirrors ..................................................................................................... 78
Laboratory Work 64 ............................................................................................... 78
Laboratory Work 65 ............................................................................................... 79
Laboratory Work 66 ............................................................................................... 80
Laboratory Work 67 ............................................................................................... 81
Laboratory Work 68 ............................................................................................... 82
Laboratory Work 69 ............................................................................................... 83

Chapter 9 84
Light in Curved Mirrors .................................................................................................. 84
Laboratory Work 70 ............................................................................................... 84
10 Table of Contents

Chapter 10 85
Light in Prisms ................................................................................................................ 85
Laboratory Work 71 ............................................................................................... 85
Laboratory Work 72 ............................................................................................... 86
Laboratory Work 73 ............................................................................................... 87
Laboratory Work 74 ............................................................................................... 88
Laboratory Work 75 ............................................................................................... 89
Laboratory Work 76 ............................................................................................... 90
Laboratory Work 77 ............................................................................................... 91
Laboratory Work 78 ............................................................................................... 92
Laboratory Work 79 ............................................................................................... 93
Laboratory Work 80 ............................................................................................... 94
Laboratory Work 81 ............................................................................................... 95

Chapter 11 96
Light in Fluids ................................................................................................................. 96
Laboratory Work 82 ............................................................................................... 96

Chapter 12 97
Electricity......................................................................................................................... 97
Laboratory Work 83 ............................................................................................... 97
Laboratory Work 84 ............................................................................................... 98
Laboratory Work 85 ............................................................................................... 98
Laboratory Work 86 ............................................................................................... 99
Laboratory Work 87 ............................................................................................. 100
Laboratory Work 88 ............................................................................................. 101
Laboratory Work 89 ............................................................................................. 102
Laboratory Work 90 ............................................................................................. 103
Laboratory Work 91 ............................................................................................. 103
Laboratory Work 92 ............................................................................................. 104
Laboratory Work 93 ............................................................................................. 104
Laboratory Work 94 ............................................................................................. 105
Laboratory Work 95 ............................................................................................. 106
Laboratory Work 96 ............................................................................................. 106
Laboratory Work 97 ............................................................................................. 107
Laboratory Work 98 ............................................................................................. 108
Laboratory Work 99 ............................................................................................. 109
Laboratory Work 100 ........................................................................................... 110
Laboratory Work 101 ........................................................................................... 111
Laboratory Work 102 ........................................................................................... 111
Laboratory Work 103 ........................................................................................... 112
Laboratory Work 104 ........................................................................................... 113
Laboratory Work 105 ........................................................................................... 114
Laboratory Work 106 ........................................................................................... 114
Laboratory Work 107 ........................................................................................... 115
Laboratory Work 108 ........................................................................................... 116
Laboratory Work 109 ........................................................................................... 116
Laboratory Work 110 ........................................................................................... 117
 Laboratory Work 111 ........................................................................................... 118
Laboratory Work 112 ........................................................................................... 119
Laboratory Work 113 ........................................................................................... 120
Laboratory Work 114 ........................................................................................... 120
Laboratory Work 115 ........................................................................................... 121
Laboratory Work 116 ........................................................................................... 122
Laboratory Work 117 ........................................................................................... 123
Laboratory Work 118 ........................................................................................... 124
Laboratory Work 119 ........................................................................................... 125
Laboratory Work 120 ........................................................................................... 126
Laboratory Work 121 ........................................................................................... 127
Laboratory Work 122 ........................................................................................... 128
Laboratory Work 123 ........................................................................................... 129
Laboratory Work 124 ........................................................................................... 130
Laboratory Work 125 ........................................................................................... 131

Chapter 13 132
Vibrations and Waves .................................................................................................... 132
Laboratory Work 126 ........................................................................................... 132

References 133
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

General Qualities of this Book

The Laboratory Work

The book is divided into Chapters which carries a series of related

questions. Information contained in the Chapter activities will help
you determine:
The general needed competence of the subtopic concerned
The general knowledge you obtained while learning that subtopic
The level of your understanding and following instructions given
Presenting data given in tabular form and sometimes drawing
conclusion from the table of results
Understanding the significance of the curves or best lines drawn
from your graph, of which some may include intercepts.
Identifying the physical quantity shown by intercepts or slopes
A learner to elaborate possible source of errors and their remedies.

How much time you will need to invest to complete the Chapter.
This also provides guidance on:

Study skills,

Understanding assessment.

I strongly recommend that you read the question carefully before

starting your procedures.

1
Why this Book? Area of Assessment

1. The Chapter Content

The Chapter is broken down into several activities. Each Chapter
comprises:
A question on the general concept of the topic,
Chapter outcomes,
Core content of the Chapter with a variety of learning activities,
A Chapter significance in our daily life,
Assignments and/or assessments, as applicable, and
Answers to Assignment and/or assessment, as applicable.

2. Resources
For those interested in learning more on this subject, we provide
you with a list of additional questions at the end of each Chapter of
this book; the resources are books, articles and you are not limited
to web sites.

3. Your comments
After completing this Book we would appreciate it if you would
take a few moments to give me your feedback on any aspect of this
book. Your feedback can include comments on:
Book content and structure,
Book reading materials and resources,
Book assignments,
Book assessments, and
Book support (teachers, technical help, etc.)
Your constructive feedback will help me to improve and enhance
this book.

2
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Book Overview
Welcome Note
Welcome to Book Two of Physics in my series of two books. Physics as one
among science subjects is of very important in our life. We are living in the
century of science and technology and introduction of science in our daily has
transformed our lives. When we light fire, it is a chemical process; when we
eat and digest food, it is biological process; when we walk on Earth, it is
governed by laws of physics.
Similarly, physics governs our everyday lives and is involved in a number of
activities we perform and things we use in our daily life. Here, we will
discuss how physics is playing its part in running our everyday tasks and
assists us to do our shopping, responsibilities and duties smoothly and
effectively.
After completing every Chapter, make sure you pose and do the Chapter
reflection. Make sure you keep all activities and Chapter reflection answers
and other difficulties or interesting areas in your portfolio. This will help you
to check whether you have understood the Chapter or not. At the same time
they prepare you step by step for the Chapter assignment. They are only
important for you and therefore do not send them to your teacher.

General Competence
By the end of this book you should be able to:
 Apply the concepts of physics, demonstrate science
laboratory practices and safety, develop skills on basic
principles of scientific investigation, describing types and
effects of forces and making physical measurements in our
daily life activities.

3
 Why this Book? Area of Assessment

Why this Book?

How to Conduct Experiment
This is a practical book has been produced by one of the Physics tycoon in
Tanzania named Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa that should enable educators to
guide learners in doing the experiments on fundamental laws and principles
encountered on their daily physics work, to measure a wide variety of
physical constants and also gaining experience of a variety of measuring
instruments which I suggest to be started as earlier as in form 1 class.
(a) These are few out of many recommended points to be considered in
practical work.
(b) Read the question and know exact what is required to be measured that I,
identify the variables to be measured if possible re-read the instructions.
(c) Draw a table of results for the variables found including the appropriate
units
(d) Plot the graph required and use it to respond the questions accordingly

How to Manage the Laboratory

To manage the laboratory, the teacher/laboratory technician in charge needs
to acquire laboratory management skills which include;

Ordering/Procurement Skills
(i) Obtain quotations for items from more than one laboratory equipment
suppliers.
(ii) Order necessary and relevant laboratory apparatuses and materials.
(iii) Ensure priority placement on ordered items.
(iv) Ensure that the necessary apparatuses and materials ordered for are
supplied.
(v) Arrange with knowledgeable laboratory equipment suppliers.
(vi) Check for and reject fake laboratory apparatuses and materials.
(vii) Compare the cost of the materials to their qualities and advise the
school management.

Stocking/ Storage Skills

(a) Provide and use a ledger book(s).
(b) Prevent glassware breakage by not storing them in nest pattern.
(c) Record damages and breakages properly.
(d) Ensure proper disposal of broken glassware.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Calibration Skills
A person in charge of the laboratory need to have a good mastery of skills as
analysed hereunder:
(a) Must be able to critically analyse problems and come up with innovative
solutions. This may include taking raw test data and analysing it accurately,
reaching conclusions;
(b) Must be a master of testing and calibrating tools such as electrical apparatuses,
oscilloscopes, probes and its accessories etc.
(c) Must be able to set up, test equipment/instruments and troubleshoot them or
components.
(d) The ability to prepare service/calibration reports and accurately document parts
that require replacement and repair. The report compiled has to be shared with
the school management or directly dealt with by contacting the suppliers for
replacement of the equipment/instruments.
(e) Must be able to communicate effectively with the head of department/school
management/suppliers to solve the instruments‟ problems.

Maintenance Skills
(a) Ensure that drainages are functional.
(b) Inspect apparatuses and electrical appliances before using them.
(c) Ensure that used laboratory apparatuses are washed and packed.
(d) Prevent and amend leakages of water and gas.
(e) Repair equipment with minor problems.

Main Source of Errors

Environmental sources
Air resistance to the oscillating bodies like a motion of a pendulum bob,
unstable temperature, variation of light intensity during light experiments,
wind blowing when trying to balance things like questions of motion etc.
Measuring instrument sources
Errors caused by instruments measuring length which may include zero error,
poorly manufactured items caused by manufacturing companies.
Human caused errors
Like time reaction (errors in starting and stopping a stop watch)
Large angle of displacement of the bob which may disturb to and fro
movement of the bob
Parallax error in reading the measurements from different instruments like
ammeter, meter rule etc.
Graph caused errors
Uses of blunt pencil in drawing graph
Too much estimation when drawing graph and Taking very close points when
calculating slopes.
Approximations when transferring data e.g. transferring data from table to
graph.

5
 Why this Book? Area of Assessment

Laboratory Management
Laboratory management guides laboratory personnel to deliver their duties
within limited time and resources.
One important aspect of laboratory management is to ensure that the
laboratory condition and personnel are up to contemporary standards.
Laboratory management is mainly concerned with the following:
 provisions of materials for laboratory work;
 ensuring heating, water, electrical and gas systems are working
properly;
 maintenance and repair of equipment; and
 proper organisation of the laboratory and auxiliary services (i.e.
record-keeping storing materials, issuing materials and proper
operations of the laboratory);
 apparatuses such as measuring cylinders, beakers, burettes, test tubes
and others should be stored clean;
 calibration of instruments should be done before experiments;
 integrate and coordinate organisational resources so that quality
laboratory services can be provided as effectively and efficiently as
possible. Organisational resources include personnel, equipment,
running costs, time and space;
 overseeing the daily operation of the laboratory; and giving technical
advice and keeping records of laboratory activities or incidences in the
laboratory ledger book.

Laboratory Safety Measures

To treat or eliminate the sources of danger while working in a Physics
laboratory, students, teachers in charge and laboratory technicians should
adhere to the safety measures as follows:
(i) the laboratory floor should not be polished to avoid slippery;
(ii) open shoes and sandals should not be worn in the laboratory;
(iii) wear protective gears such as aprons, overcoats, gloves and safety
goggles where necessary;
(iv) safe storage for apparatuses should be highly considered;
(v) know the location of the main switch and extinguishers for controlling
electricity and fire in case of emergencies respectively;
(vi) make students aware of the appropriate use of electricity and dangers of
misuse;
(vii) never open a battery. Its contents are corrosive and can be toxic or
poisonous;
(viii) when storing batteries, never allow the terminals to touch or short
circuit;

6
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

How to Organize the Laboratory

Organising a laboratory requires employment of a 5S method. This method
provides a basis for making sure that laboratory safety and efficiency of the
pre-preparation procedures are engendered. The method has five (5) distinct
steps: Sorting, Setting, Shining, Standardising and Sustaining. As these steps
feed into each other, the sequence is important for successful use of the
method.
Step 1, Sorting: This step involves identifying equipment, apparatuses and
materials in accordance with the areas of assessment/topics. The goal of this
step is to eliminate clutter and clear up the laboratory space by removing
apparatuses and materials that do not belong in it.
Step 2, Set: Arrange the apparatuses and materials to be easily selected for
use. This prevents loss and waste of time by arranging the apparatuses and
materials in such a way that they are close by.
Step 3, Shine: Clean the laboratory and all the equipment, apparatuses and
materials and keep them clean and tidy, ready for the next user.
Step 4, Standardize: Maintain high standards of laboratory organisation at all
times. This involves incorporating laboratory practices into normal work
procedures by writing down what to be done, where, and by whom.
Step 5, Sustain: Now you have created a 5S workspace. It is very important
to keep that way. Create a 5S audit to ensure that, the apparatuses and
materials get sorted out, set in place and cleaned. Get everyone involved.
Motivation and commitment are essential for effective implementation of 5S.
Create a reward system to encourage people to maintain high standards of 5S.
Use 5S audit sheets as a scorecard for inter-lab competition.

7
 Risk Assessment in the Laboratory Area of Assessment

Risk Assessment in the Laboratory

Before conducting any experiment in the laboratory, the teacher in charge or
laboratory technician should inform students about the hazards and potential
risks to them or the equipment/instruments. Meanwhile, the risk refers to the
likelihood or probability the hazard to cause actual harm and the severity of
the results. Risk assessment, therefore, involves careful examination of the
premises, processes and activities to identify what can cause harm to people
in order to know whether sufficient precautions have already been taken or
further measures are to be taken. Risk assessment intends to safeguard
teachers in charge/laboratory technicians, students and the
apparatuses/equipment in any physics experiment. To assess the risk of any
Physics experiment, teachers in charge or laboratory technicians, should be:

Risks Assessment
Having identified the possible risks in an experiment one should then
consider the worst possible situation.
The following outline the effects and opportunities of occurrence of
hazards they aregraded, with 1 with 4 being the greatest risk and greatest
chance of occurrence.
Possible effect
4. Death or permanent disability.
3. Long-term illness or serious injury.
2. Medical attention and several days off work/school.
1. First aid required.
Note: Any experiment which could cause serious injury to staff or students
should never be carried out in the school laboratory.

Identify the Risks

The first step is to identify the hazards in the experiment. These might be
electrical problems, leakage of radioactive materials, high temperature
(burns and scalds), and high pressure with a chance of an explosion.
There are then simple physical hazards around laboratory. These are
usually things that you can trip over. As such, store bags and briefcases
under the bench and avoid having electrical leads trailing from one bench
to another across an open space. If possible, do not store heavy or
expensive equipment in high cupboards where it could fall out, hit
somebody and break.

8
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Control
Having considered the risk and possible consequences, one should try to
control the experiment to ensure that you can answer the following questions:
 Can you eliminate the risk?
 If the risks are significant, is there another way of carrying out the
experiment or can you substitute an alternative experiment?
 Can you reduce the risk?

Controlling exposure to occupational hazards is a fundamental method for

protecting teacher in charge/laboratory technician or students. Traditionally, a
hierarchy of hazard controls has served as a means for determining how to
implement feasible and effective control solutions. One representation of this
hierarchy is as illustrated in Figure 1. The idea behind this hierarchy is that
control methods at the top of the graph are potentially more effective and
protective than those at the bottom.
S/n. Control Example
1. Eliminate Removing the hazard, e.g. Taking a
hazardous piece of equipment/instrument out
of service.
2. Substitute Replacing a hazardous substance or process
with a less hazardous one
3. Engineer controls Redesigning an experiment, piece of
equipment or process to make it less
hazardous
4. Administrative Adopting safe work practices and
provide appropriate training, instruction or
information
5. Person Protective Use of lab-coat, gloves, safety glasses,
Equipment (PPE) safety footwear, dust masks, face shields,
goggles, etc

9
 Lab Preparation Before the Activity Area of Assessment

Lab Preparation Before the Activity

Laboratory technicians/teachers in charge must allocate and label all rockers and
never mix or displace apparatus. This will make it easy when preparing for any
question’s setting.

Check List
When a checklist is sent to schools, teachers in charge or laboratory
technicians are required to make sure:

(i) All the apparatuses, materials and equipment listed are available.
(ii) The specifications given in the checklist should be adhered
(iii)The apparatuses, materials and equipment accommodate the
number of candidates registered.
(iv) The normal laboratory fittings are working properly.
(v) Measuring instruments are calibrated well this will reduce the possible
surprise of two instruments giving two different values of the same
quantity.
(vi) For SWG wires must be crosschecked thoroughly by measuring their
properties like diameter and resistivity
(vii) The instructed company for objects that are common like dry cells as
an example, when instructed to buy Panasonic Size AA don’t change
the brand or the size

Area of Assessment
Table 2 indicates the level at which each area/topic is assessed:
Assessment
S/n. Topic of Assessment CSEE ACSEE
1. Measurement  X
2. Archimedes Principle  X
3. Structure and Properties of Matter  
4. Forces in Equilibrium  
5. Motion in a Straight line  
6. Friction  X
7. Simple Harmonic Motion  
8. Light  
9. Heat/ Thermal Energy  

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Key Responsibilities in the Lab

Laboratory technicians/teachers in charge who conduct the planned duties of
laboratory management are responsible for the direction of the laboratory.
They ought to make sure that the laboratory operation fits in with the
laboratory vision and mission in the long-term. The following are some of
their strategic roles:
(a) setting laboratory objectives;
(b) designing long-term plans;
(c) overseeing laboratory operations and relevant regulations;
(d) assigning tasks, monitoring and evaluating staff progress, performance
and customer satisfaction;
(e) developing and administering the budget;
(f) reviewing regulatory requirements; and
(g) developing and administering the budget using a ledger book.

24 Hours Instructions
To assess CSEE and ACSEE Physics practical examination, practical
instructions have to be provided 24 hours or 3 hours in advance
whereby teachers in charge/laboratory technicians would be required
to do the following:
(i) handle with care the information given in the 3 hours practical
advance instructions;
(ii) read carefully and understand the list of apparatuses and materials
provided in each category;
(iii) arrange apparatuses and materials as prescribed in the 3 hours
practical advance instructions;
(iv) display the arranged list of apparatuses and materials on the bench
according to the number of candidates registered in a particular
examination;
(v) make sure that each candidate has apparatuses and materials as
per 3 hours practical advance instructions; and
(vi) in case there is more than one examination session, teachers in
charge/laboratory technicians ought to rearrange and replace
(where necessary) the apparatuses and materials (where
necessary) before the next session.

11
 Lab Preparation Before the Activity 24 Hours Instructions

Quality of a Good Graph

(i) The heading or Title of the graph should be written at the top of the graph
paper and within the graph paper in capital letter
(ii) A scale should be written at the upper right corner of the graph paper. The
abbreviated terms for Horizontal and Vertical components are HC and VC
respectively.
e.g. V.S:- 1cm represents 5sec2 and H.S:- 1cm represents 0.1m
(iii) Label the axes with their proper units
(iv) Transfer the point from the table of results using a dot with circle or + by
using a sharp pencil
(v) Draw your best line or curve. A best one is determined by how close it
passes very close to many of your points in the graph.

In case a slope is needed to be calculated, show your slope indication in dots.

Your final results must be given to a sensible order of accuracy and it must
state units concerned.

Minimizing Errors
Environmental sources
 Wind blow can be minimized by finding a position with minimal wind
below.
Measurement sources
 Using identical springs, or a good and well calibrated instrument and
taking note on zero error.
 Uses of spring which are strong/appropriate and within a prescribed
spring constant
Human caused errors
 Parallax error can be minimized by reading perpendicular the mark being
read
 Errors can be minimized by taking several readings and find the average
of the data.
Graph caused errors
 Use a sharp pencil, transfer the data correctly, avoid too much
approximations

12
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Points to be Noted
Some Experiments are done as a result of circumstances and needs of the
conditions available at the moment. Due to some inevitable reasons, some
sub-topics are harder to conduct their practical. In learning such parts, an
educator is advised to be creative so as to deliver the intended knowledge to
the learners.
For those subtopic having their requirements in your reach, make sure the
practical is conducted. It is indeed very Important to know, the following
before attempting any practical exercise:-
 Topic
 Aim of the experiment
 Apparatus list and their setting
 Procedures involved
 The conversant with the calculator operations and other tools
 Table of results with their recommended units
 Theory
 Graph
 Calculations
 Possible errors and
 How to minimize them

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

Any equation can be manipulated into either of the four forms of linear
equations as follows:-
 y = mx
 y = mx + c
 y = mx – c
 y = -mx + c

13
 Lab Preparation Before the Activity 24 Hours Instructions

The common Nature of Linear Graphs

(i) y = mx

(ii) y = mx + c

(iii) y = mx – c

(iv) y = -mx + c

14
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Chapter 1
Density
Laboratory Work 01
You are required to determine the density of the material of a two hundred
shilling coin
Proceed as follows;
(a) Given the following apparatus a Vernier calipers , micrometer screw
gauge, a weighing balance (beam balance) and 20 coins (two hundred
shilling each)
(b) Measure the diameter d of one two hundred shilling by using a
Vernier calipers (in cm)
(c) Measure the thickness t of one hundred shilling by using a micro
meter screw gauge (in cm)
d

(d) Measure the mass of 2 coins provided by placing them on a beam

balance and record them in gram
(e) Keep on adding coins onto the balance to 4, 6, 8, and finally 10 coins
in each time record the mass of each respective numbers of coins on
the balance
(f) Tabulate your results as shown below;
Numbers of coins n 2 4 6 8 10
Mass coins (in
grams)
(i) Plot a graph of masses of coins (vertical axis) against numbers of
coins (horizontal axis)
(ii) Determine the slope S of the graph
(iii) Find the density of D of the material of the coin (in gram per
centimeter) given that
4S
D
 .t.d 2
(iv) If one coin is immersed in an eureka can full of water , what mass
of water will overflow (Assume water has a density of 1g/cm3
and π = 3.14)

15
 Chapter 1 Density

Laboratory Work 02
Determination of relative density of a liquid using the Archimedes Principle.
Apparatuses and Materials
Apart from the normal laboratory fittings, teachers in charge/laboratory
technicians shouldprepare the following apparatuses for each set of the
experiment:
Spring balance (0 - 10 N), two beakers, masses of mass 50 g, 100 g, 200 g
and 250 g, water andLiquid X.
Proceed as follows
(a) Take a 50 g mass and call it m1 and weigh in air using a spring
balance. Note the weightW1.
(b) Immerse m1 totally in water contained in a beaker and record its
apparent weight W2.

(c) Remove m1 in water and immerse it in a liquid X contained in

another beaker or cylinder. Record its apparent weight W3.
(d) Repeat the experiment by varying the values of the masses up to
five different values inorder of 50g mass.
(e) Tabulate your results as shown in the following table:
Mass(g) W1(N) W2(N) W3(N) Upthrust in Upthrust in
water Liquid x
= W 1 – W2 = W 1 – W3
50
100
150
200
250

(f) Plot the graph of Upthrust X against Upthrust in W.

(g) Deduce the slope of the graph.
(h) What is the physical meaning of the slope?
Discussion
We can simply find the slope, which is the ratio of upthrust of Liquid
X to the upthrust of water. The outcome is the relative density of the
liquid.

16
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 03
You are provided with a test-tube with millimetre scale extending over its
entire length. Put sufficient lead shots into the test tube to ensure that it just
floats vertically in liquid, L, contained in a tall beaker. Keeping the floating
test-tube away from the side of the beaker, read and record the height ho of
the test- tube that is submerged as shown in fig above

Drop 4 clips into the test-tube and record the new height, h of the test-test that
is submerged. Record five more heights by having 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 clips
respectively dropped into the test-tube. For each new height, h, calculate (h -
ho).
(a) Tabulate N, h and (h - ho) where N is the number of clips dropped
into the test-tube.
(b) Plot a graph of N against (h - ho).
(c) Determine the slope G of your graph
(d) Measure and record the external diameter D of the test-test.

(e) Find the value of where is the average mass in grams of a clip

17
 Chapter 1 Density

Laboratory Work 04
You are provided with the following measuring cylinder, water and five (05)
glass marbles.
Proceed as follows
(a) Measure a mass of one glass marble and record it as mo
(b) Half fill the measuring cylinder with water and record the volume of
water as Vo in cm3
(c) Immerse one glass marble as shown in the diagram below, and then
record the reading on the measuring cylinder as v1. Determine the volume
of water displaced as Vs

(d) Repeat the procedure (c) for numbers of glass marble “n” equal to 2,3,4
and 5
(e) Tabulate your results in suitable table
(f) Plot a graph of Vs against n
(g) State the nature of the graph
(h) Calculate the slope of the graph G
(i) Find the value of Q

(j) What is the physical meaning of Q?

(k) What is the aim of this experiment?

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

18
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Chapter 2
Archimedes’ Principle
Laboratory Work 05
You are provided with the following:- A measuring cylinder, A eureka can,
nylon tread, Standard masses and, Water.
Process as follows:
(a) Pour water into eureka can until it just beginning to overflow
(b) Hold a suitable measuring cylinder under the spout and immerse a
standard mass of 50g into eureka can as shown in figure below.
(c) Wait for it to drop until it starts to cease and take long interval to drop.

(d) Record the reading of the water collected.

(e) Repeat the procedures (b) to (d) for standard masses 100g, 150g, 200g
and 250g
(f) Tabulate your results showing the quantities as follows:-

Mass, M (g) 50 100 150 200 250

Volume, V (cm3)
(g) Plot a graph of mass against volume
(h) From the graph:
(i) Calculate the slope and state its significance
(ii) Establish the formula governing the experiment.
(i) Identify with reasons the best to the least satisfactory method of
finding the constant value of mass divide by volume.
(j) State two source of errors in this experiment

19
 Chapter 2 Archimedes’ Principle

Laboratory Work 06
The aim of this experiment is to verify the Archimedes’ principle
Proceed as follows
Fix the overflow can on a block of wood and place one beaker under the
spout of the can. Pour water into the can until it overflows through the spout
to the beaker until the last drop.
Take a 100g mass W1 and hang it on the lower end of the spring balance by
using a thin inextensible cotton thread. Place an empty measuring cylinder on
the spout of the can. Lower the 100g onto water until it is totally immersed in
a can as shown in the fig below

Allow the overflowing water to run out via the spout to the measuring
cylinder until the last drop. Read and record the new reading on the spring
balance W2 and also record the volume of water collected in a measuring
cylinder V
Repeat this procedure for the masses of 200g, 300g, 400g and 500g and
tabulate your result as shown below
Mass Mass Up thrust, Volume Displaced
W1(g) W2 (g) W  W2 (cm3) weight of water
U 1 N  xVxg
100  N 
1000
100
200
300
400
500
Where  is the density of water and V is the volume of water displaced
(a) Plot a graph of up thrust U versus displaced weight of water
(b) Find the slope of the graph
(c) Deduce the relationship between U and the weight of water displaced
(d) State the Archimedes’ principle using the relationship deduced in (c)
above

20
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 07
The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of the liquid provided
by using a relative density bottle.
Proceed as follows

(a) Measure the mass of the empty and dry density bottle shown in diagram
(a) above and call it as m1
(b) Fill the bottle with liquid A, insert a stopper, wipe away the excess liquid
using a piece of cloth or blotting paper and weigh again its mass as m2 as
in diagram (b)
(c) Empty the bottle and rinse several times with water, fill it with water,
insert stopper and wipe away excess water using a piece or blotting paper
and weigh again its mass, m3 as shown in the diagram (c).
(d) Tabulate your values
(e) Calculate the value of R, given that
M 2  M1
R
M 3  M1
(f) Determine the value of 
Given that,  = 1000 x R
(g) What is the physical importance of  from (f) above?
(h) Name any two possible sources of error and their precautions to be taken.

21
 Chapter 2 Archimedes’ Principle

Laboratory Work 08
You are provided with the following boiling tube, half-meter rule, rubber
band, a retort stand with its clamp, water and five (05) glass marbles.
Proceed as follows
Part I
(a) Using a rubber band provided, fix the boiling tube on the half – meter rule
and clamp the half-meter rule as shown in the figure below.

(b) Measure out 20cm3 and pour it into the boiling tube
(c) Measure and record the height Y of the water in the boiling tube.
(d) Gently introduce one glass marble into the boiling tube, measure and
record the height y to which the water rises. Repeat the procedure in (d)
above for 2, 3, 4 and 5 glass marbles respectively.
(e) Tabulate your results of the height “Y” against the number of marbles
“”
(f) Plot a graph of the height “Y” against the number of marbles “”
(g) Determine the gradient S1 of your graph

Part II
(a) Without detaching the boiling tube from the half-meter rule. Remove the
half – meter rule from the clamp and pour out the contents of the boiling
tube.
(b) Clamp the half - meter rule as in part I
(c) Measure out the volume V1 equal to 10cm3 of water and pour it into the
boiling tube, measure and record the height H of the water in the boiling
tube.
(d) Repeat the procedure (c) above for V = 20, 30, 40 and 50cm3 respectively.
(e) Tabulate your results
(f) Plot a graph of V against H
(g) Find the slope S2 of your graph and hence solve for K, given that K = S1 x
S2

22
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 09
You are provided with a measuring cylinder, Eureka can, a non-extensible thread,
standard masses, unknown mass labeled X and water.

Proceed as follows
(a) Pour water into eureka can until it is just beginning to overflow

(b) Hold a suitable measuring cylinder under the spout and immerse a
standard mass of 50g into eureka can as shown in the figure above.
Water will pass through the spout and will be collected by the
measuring cylinder. Wait for it to drop until it starts to cease and take
long interval to drop. Record the reading of the water collected.
(c) Repeat the actions in b) above for standard masses of 100g, 150g,
200g and 250g.
(d) Repeat the procedures in b) above by substituting unknown mass
labeled X.
(e) Tabulate your results showing the quantities as follows
Mass (g) 50 100 150 200 250 300 X
Volume
(cm3)
(f) Plot a graph of mass against volume
(g) State the nature of the graph
(h) From the graph:
(i) Calculate the slope
(ii) What does the slope of the graph show?
(iii) Establish the formula governing the experiment
(iv) Determine the mass of the unknown block X
(i) State a possible error in this experiment and how can it be minimized?

23
 Chapter 2 Archimedes’ Principle

Laboratory Work 10
This is to verify Archimedes’ principle
Apart from the normal laboratory fittings, teachers in charge/laboratory
technicians should prepare the following apparatuses for each set of the
experiment:

spring balances (0-10 N), loads of masses 50g, 100g, 150g, 200g and
250g, Beakers (50 ml-100 ml), measuring cylinders, eureka can (250ml),
water, beam balances, and cotton threads.
Procedures

(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure below.

(b) Take one of the solid blocks and weigh it by hanging it on the
hook of the spring balance using a thread. Find the weight of the
solid in air W1 and note it.
(c) Take a 250ml beaker, weigh it on a balance and note down its mass m1
(d) Take the overflow can and fill it with water to the brim of the outlet and
place the beaker below the overflow outlet of the can to collect the
displaced water. Now, start loweringthe metallic block (S1), still
attached to the spring balance, into the water of the overflow can.
(e) Note down the loss of weight of the metallic block as it gets completely
immersed in water W2. Weigh the beaker with the displaced water and
note down the mass m2.
(f) Find the mass of the displaced water, m2 – m1
(g) Calculate the up thrust, w = (m2 – m1) g
(h) Compare the apparent loss of weight of the solid in water with the weight
of the amount ofwater displaced.
(i) Comment on your results.

24
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 11
In this experiment, you are given the following
 A thread, Eureka can, A measuring cylinder, Water, Masses of 50g,
100g and 200g
Proceed as follows
(i) Pour water into eureka can until it just begins to overflow through the
spout. Place the empty measuring cylinder directly under the spout.
(ii) Tie the metal block of mass M= 50g to a piece of thread and gently
lower it into the Eureka can until it is completely immersed.
(iii) Make sure all water flowing out the can through the spout are
collected in the measuring cylinder. Record the volume of the water
collected in the measuring cylinder when it has stopped overflowing.
Repeat the above procedure for the value of M = 100g, 150g, 200g,
250g and 300g
(iv) Tabulate your results as shown below
Mass (M) in g 50 100 150 200 250 300
3
Volume (V) in cm of H2O
displaced
(a) Plot a graph of M against V
(b) Solve for your graph’s slope
(c) Use your slope to predict the volume of water that would be
displaced by a 320g of the same compression and material to the
masses used.
(d) Mention two source of error and their remedy
(e) What is the aim of this experiment?

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

25
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Chapter 3
Forces in Equilibrium
Laboratory Work 12
1. The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of the transparent
plastic ruler (Revlon) provided.
Proceed as follows:
(a) Determine and mark the center of gravity C of the ruler by balancing
the ruler freely on the edge of the glass prism provided and record it.
(b) Suspend a 20g mass on one side of the ruler at d = 0.5cm from the end
and find the position of the edge of a prism to get a balance.
(c) Record the distance x and y as shown in the following figure

(d) Repeat the procedure in (b) and (c) above using distance d= 3cm,
6cm, 9cm and 10cm. In each experiment, read and record their
corresponding values of y and x
Questions
(i) Tabulate your results for the values of d, x, and y in cm.
(ii) Plot a graph of y(cm) against x (cm)
(iii)Find the slope of your graph
(iv) Determine the mass of the ruler provided

26
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 13
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of a 1m rule by balancing
it on a knife edge.

Procedures
(a) Let W represent the mass of the ruler, securely fix 100g brass weight
labelled W1 underneath the 80 cm mark of the ruler. The flat base of
the weight being in contact with the ruler
(b) Attach a small loop of thread to the second 50g weight labelled W2
and suspend this mass at a distance X, from the zero mark end of the
ruler.
(c) Using the value of X indicated on the table below, balance the ruler on
the knife edge and note the distance Y of the knife edge from the zero
end of the ruler
(d) Using a Vernier caliper measure the length (l), thickness (t) and width
(h) of the ruler
Table of results
X (cm) 15 20 30 40 50 60
Y (cm)
i. Plot the graph of Y (vertical axis) against X (horizontal
axis)
ii. Find the gradient of the graph and the intercept on the Y –
axis
iii. Deduce the value of W, given the equation of the graph as
50 g
Y xK
50 g  W
iv. Deduce its density, (d) given that:-
W
d
l t h

27
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 14
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of a metre rule by
balancing it on a knife edge.

Procedure
(a) Let W represent the mass of the ruler, securely fix 100g brass weight
labelled W1 underneath the 70 cm mark of the ruler. The flat base of
the weight being in contact with the ruler
(b) Attach a small loop of thread to the second 50g weight labelled W2
and suspend this mass at a distance X, from the zero mark end of the
ruler.
(c) Using the value of X indicated on the table below, balance the ruler on
the knife edge and note the distance Y of the knife edge from the zero
end of the ruler
Table of results
X (cm) 15 20 30 40 50 60
Y (cm)

(i) Plot the graph of Y (vertical axis) against X (horizontal axis)

(ii) Deduce the value of W, given the equation of the graph as:-

 50 g
Y xK
150 g  W

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

28
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 15
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of a given dry cell, size
“AA”
You are provided with a dry cell, a knife edge, two weights 50g and 20g and
a metre rule

Proceed as follows;
(a) Locate and note the center of gravity C of the metre rule by balancing on
the knife edge

(b) Suspend the 50g mass on one side of the metre rule and 20g together with
a dry cell on the other side of the metre rule adjusting their position until
the metre rule balances horizontally as shown in the fi below

(c) By fixing a = 3cm from Find its corresponding length, b from C

(d) Repeat and tabulate your results for a fix of a = 6cm, 9cm, 15cm and
18cm.
(e) Draw a graph of “a” against “b” and calculate the slope G
(f) Calculate X from equation
20  X
G
50

29
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 16
The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of wood. You are
provided with wooden bar, a knife and a 100g weight
Proceed as follows;
(a) Locate the center of gravity C of the wooden bar by balancing freely
about the knife edge

(b) Suspend the 100g mass on the wooden bar as shown in the fig below;
10cm from C adjust the position of the knife edge to get a balance.

(c) Record the distance of the center of gravity C from the knife edge as Y
and distance between the knife edge and 100g mass as X.

(d) Repeat procedures (b) and (c) above by increasing the distance of the
100g mass to 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm and 60cm respectively from the
center of gravity C. Tabulate your results.

(e) Draw a graph of Y against X and calculate its gradient (G).

(f) Calculate the mass (M) of the wooden bar given that gradient,

(g) Measure the length L , width w and thickness t of the wooden bar and
hence calculate the density of wood given that:-

Mass
Density,  
l t h

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

30
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 17
The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of metre rule by
balancing it on a knife edge.
Proceed as follows
(a) Balance the metre rule on a pivot and its center of mass call it C as seen
below and note its mark.

(b) Now, shift the pivot a distance “A” which is 2.5cm to the right and adjust
a 50g mass block tied on thread until it balances horizontally again. Note
the distance “B” in cm from the pivot to the mass block

(c) Repeat procedure B for the values of “A” equals to 5cm, 7.5cm and 10cm
and every time recording their corresponding values of “B”
(d) Using a vernier caliper measure the length (l) thickness (t) and width (h)
of the given metre rule
(i) Table of results
“A” (cm) 2.5 5 7.5 10
“B” (cm)
(ii) Plot the graph of A (vertical axis) against B (horizontal axis)
(iii) Find the gradient of the graph and state the nature of the graph
(iv) Deduce the value of W from part b above, given the equation of the
graph as:-
50 g
A B
w
(v) Deduce its density using

Density  
w g
3
lxtxh cm

31
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 18
In this experiment you are required to determine the density of liquid L2
relative to that of liquid L1 and the mass, M of the metre-rule provided.
Proceed as follows:-

(a) Locate and mark the centre of gravity G of the metre rule.
(b) Set up the apparatus as illustrated in the figure above, where: x =10
cm, W1 and W2 are brass weights of mass 50 g and 20 g, respectively.
(c) With W2 totally immersed in liquid L1 and x = 10 cm, balance the
metre-rule on the knife edge by adjusting the position of W1. Read
and record the distance, y. Repeat the procedure for x = 20 cm, 30
cm, 40 cm, 50 cm and 54 cm. Tabulate the values of x and y.
(d) Replace liquid L1 by liquid L2 and then repeat the procedure outlined
in (c) above.
(e) Plot a graph of y against x using the table obtained in (c).
(i) Read and record C1 the value of y when x = 0. Calculate 10C1,
which is equal to the mass of the metre-rule.
(ii) Find the slope, S1 of the graph.

(iii) Find the value of given that = 0.4 - S1

(f) Plot a graph of y against x using the table obtained in (d).
(i) Find the slope S2 of this graph.

(ii) Find the value of given that = 0.4 - S2.

(iii) Evaluate the ratio / which is equal to the density of liquid
L2 relative to that of liquid L1.
(g) Discuss sources of errors in this experiment.

32
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 19
You are provided with a uniform metre rule with a hole drilled at 50cm mark,
steel knitting needle, unknown mass M of a dry cell size D, known mass W
(100g) two weighing pans or two pieces of threads, retort stand and clamp.
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Locate and record the Centre of gravity, C of the ruler by balancing
the ruler on the clamped knitting needle and ensure that the ruler
balances in a horizontal position
(b) Suspend unknown weight M at 10cm mark and adjust the position of
w on the other side of O so that the ruler balances in a horizontal
position
(c) Measure the distances M and W from O as X and Y respectively
(d) Draw the diagram for this experiment
(e) Repeat procedures (b) and (c) above with M suspended from 15cm,
20cm, 25cm and 30cm marks. Tabulate your results
(f) Plot a graph of Y against X
(g) State the nature of the graph
(h) Read and record the values of Y when X = 17.5cm
(i) Calculate the slope G of the graph
(j) Find the value of M given that the equation representing the graph is
M = GW, where W is given
(k) Mention and state the principle governing this experiment
(l) State a possible source of error in this experiment
(m) What is the aim of this experiment?

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

33
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 20
You are provided with a metre rule, a knife edge, and two strings of length
100cm each and two weights W1 and W2 of masses 50g and 100 g
respectively.

Proceed as follows:-
(a) Balance a metre rule on a knife edge, put a mark and write G and the
balancing point using a piece of chalk or a pencil. Measure and record the
length 1, width w and thickness t of a metre rule using a Vernier caliper.
(b) Place the metre rule on a knife edge so that the knife edge is at 60cm of
your metre rule (see figure (a). Suspend weight W2 of 100g on the right
hand side of the knife edge. Adjust W2 until the metre rule balances
horizontally. Read and record lengths “c” and “b” as seen in Figure (a)

(c) Suspend weight W1 of 50g on the left hand side of the knife edge at the
position 47 cm and adjust weight W2 until the metre rule balances
horizontally as seen in Figure (b). Read and record the lengths “a” and
“b”

(d) Repeat the procedures in (c) by adjusting the position of W1 to the left at
the interval of 3cm to obtain other four (4) readings.
(e) Tabulate your results as show in Table 1
a (cm)
b (cm)
(f) Plot a graph of “b” against “a”
(g) What is the nature of the graph?
(h) Calculate the slope S of the graph.
(i) Read the b-intercept, given that:-
Wc
b  Sa 
W2

34
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

(j) What does represent?

(k) Calculate the value of W using the relation
Wc
W2 
9.5cm
(l) What does W represent?
(m) Find the value of the ration P, using the equation:-
lxwxt
P Obtain the mass m of the rule by calculation.
m
(n) What is the physical meaning of the value of P?
(o) State a possible source of error and its solution.
(p) State the aim of this experiment.

Laboratory Work 21
You are provided with a metre ruler, a knife edge and two stings of length
50cm each, weight A of masses 20g and weight B of a dry cell size AA.
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Locate and record the centre of gravity G of the metre rule by balancing
it on the knife edge.
(b) Suspend the 50g mass at length “a” cm on one side of the metre rule and
the 20g mass together with the dry cell at length “b” cm on the other
side of the metre rule.
(c) Fix the 50g mass at length 30 cm from the fulcrum and adjust the
position of 20g mass together with the dry cell until the metre rule
balances horizontally. Rad and record the values of “a” and “b” as ao
and bo respectively.
(d) Draw the diagram for this experiment
(e) By fixing a = 5cm from fulcrum C, find its corresponding length b.
(f) Repeat the procedure in (e) above for a = 10 cm, 15cm, 20cm and 25
cm.
(g) Tabulate your results
(h) Plot a graph of ‘a’ against ‘b’ and state the nature of the graph.
(i) Determine the slope of the graph. Use the slope to calculate the mass of
B
(j) Name and state the principle governing this experiment
(k) Suggest the aim of this experiment

35
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 22
The aim of this experiment is to verify the principle of moments for parallel
forces
Proceed as follows;
(a) Find the center of mass of a meter rule by placing it on the knife edge.
Find the balancing point and put a mark on the point using a piece of
chalk (or pencil).

(b) Suspend 100gf = W2 on the 10cm length on the right from the center
of the mass G of the meter rule. Suspend the 50gf = W1 on the left
hand side of G and adjust the position of W1 until the metre rule
balances in a horizontal position. Read and record their lengths as “a”
and “b” as respectively
(c) Repeat the process in (b) above with W2 on the length 12.5cm,
15.0cm, 17.5cm, 20.0cm, 22.5cm and 25cm. Each time record the
corresponding lengths “a” in the tabular form as the one below.
W1(gf) W2(gf) a(cm) b(cm) W1.a(gf-cm) W2.b(gf-cm)
50 100 10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
20.0

(d) (i) Complete the table above

(ii) Compare the values in columns W1.a and W2.b of the above table
(iii) State the principle of moment for parallel forces
(iv) Comment on the relationship in (ii) and (iii) above

36
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 23
The aim of this experiment is to determine the weight of a body and its
relative density by the principle of moment;
Proceed as follows;
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the fig below

(b) Suspend a metre rule clamped at 50cm mark.

(c) Balance the metre rule by adjusting U- shaped upper wire so that the rule
balances horizontally. Hang the unknown mass and volume of water in a
weighed container at a 20cm mark. Hang the mass of 100g from other end
of a metre rule and adjust the distance of this mass so that the rule
balances again.
(d) By the principle of moments determine the mass of water and its
containing vessel. Repeat this procedures using methylated spirit of the
same volume, in a weighed container.
(i) Measure and record the length of L1and L2 when a vessel contains
water
(ii) Measure and record the length L1 and L2 when the vessel contains
methylated spirit
(iii)Using the principle of moments find the mass of water and that of
methylated spirit.
(iv) Calculate the relative density of methylated spirit

37
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 24
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass (mo) of the metre rule
provided.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Find the center of mass of a meter rule by placing it on the knife edge.
Find the balancing point and record that value as Lo

(b) Hang a 50g mass on the metre rule as shown above at a point such as x =
5cm. Move the metre rule until it balances. Record the value of y when
the metre rule is balanced.

(c) Move the 50g mass to a position where x = 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 25cm. 30
cm and 40cm. measure the corresponding values of y for each values of x
(d) Plot a graph of y against x
(e) Determine the slope, s of your graph and calculate the mass Mo of the
metre rule using the relation:-
SM o
 S 1
50
(f) From your graph, find the values of y when x = 0 and call it Yo Calculate
the value of the constant k using the equation
Yo
K k  50
Lo
(g) What is the physical meaning of the constant k?
(h) State one source of error and its precaution.

38
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 25
The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of motor oil Lo relative
to liquid L1 and the density of the material of the metre-rule provided.
Proceed as follows:
(a) Locate and mark the center of gravity G of the metre-rule. Measure
the width and thickness of the rule by using a Vernier caliper.
(b) Assemble the apparatus as shown in a figure below.

(c) Fix the knife edge E, 10cm from G towards A and a 100g (M1) 5 cm
from the end marked A.
(d) With M1 totally immersed in liquid L1, adjust the position of the 50 g
(M2) until the rule is balanced horizontally. Record the positions of
M1, M2, and distances x and y.
(e) Move M1 five centimeters towards E and repeat the experiment.
Record the new positions of M1 and M2 and the distances x and y as in
(d).
(f) Do this experiment, each time moving M1 by 5 cm towards E to obtain
total of five sets of readings. Tabulate your results.
(g) Replace liquid L1 by the motor oil Lo and repeat the procedure outlined
in (d), (e), and (f) above.
(h) Plot graphs of y against x for liquid L1 and motor oil L0 (use different
graph papers).
(i) Find the slope S1 for liquid L1
(ii) Find the slope SO for motor oil LO
(iii) Read the y – intercepts C1 and CO for the two graphs.
(i) Find the value U1 and Uo given that:
M2 M
U o  M1  and U 1  M 1  2
So S1

39
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

(j) Calculate the density of motor oil L0 relative to liquid L1, given that:
Uo
R.d 
U1
(k) Determine the mass M of the metre rule given that:-
M  M2
C1  b
M 1  U1
Or
M  M2
Co  b
M1  U o
Hence determine the density of the wooden material of the rule.

Laboratory Work 26
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of the transparent plastic
ruler (Revlon) provided.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Determine and mark the center of gravity C of the ruler by balancing the
ruler freely on the edge of the glass prism provided and record it.
(b) Suspend a 20g mass on one side of the ruler at d = 0.5cm from the end
and find the balancing point.
(c) Record the distance x and y as shown in the figure below

(d) Repeat the procedures (a) and (b) above using distance d = 3cm, 6cm,
9cm and 10cm. In each experiment, read and record their corresponding
values of y for each values of x.
(e) Tabulate your results for values of d, x, and y in cm
(f) Plot a graph of y (cm) against x (cm)
(g) Determine the slope, s of your graph and use it to determine the mass of
the ruler provided

40
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 27
You are provided with a transparent Revlon ruler, a piece of thread, a 100g
mass block, a wooden meter ruler and a pivot.
The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of the material of the
wooden meter ruler provided.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Determine and mark the center of gravity C of the ruler by balancing the
ruler freely on the edge of the fulcrum provided and record it.
(b) Suspend a 100g mass at a distance d = 10 cm from the centre C of the
ruler as shown in the figure below.
(c) Read and record the distance x and y as shown in the figure below

(d) Repeat the procedures (b) and (c) above using distance d = 15cm, 20cm,
25cm and 30cm.
(e) Tabulate your results for values of d, x, and y in cm
(f) Plot a graph of y (cm) against x (cm)
(g) Determine the slope, s of your graph.
(h) Show how the slope of your graph related to the mass of the ruler and
hence use it to calculate the mass of the ruler.
(i) Find the length, width and thickness of the ruler by using a Vernier
caliper.
(j) Calculate the density of the ruler

41
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 28
You are provided with the following apparatus;
A meter rule, Two identical 100g masses labeled A and B, About 200ml of
Liquid L in 250ml beaker, Three pieces of thread, each about half meter long,
Stands with clamps and Tissues.
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Using a stand and one piece of thread, suspend the metre rule in air such
that it balances horizontally. Record the position of the centre of gravity G
in millimeter. The mere rule should remain suspended at this point
throughout the experiment.
(b) Suspend the mass A at a distance x = 50mm from G. Adjust the position
of mass B until it balances mass A immersed in liquid L as shown in
figure below. Record the distance d, of mass B from the pivot.

(c) Repeat the same process for other values of x = 100 mm, 150 mm, 200
mm, 250mm, 300mm
(d) Copy and complete the table below
X (mm) 50 100 150 200 250 300
d (cm
(e) Plot a graph of d (cm) against x (cm)
(f) Determine the slope, S of the graph.
S
(g) Given that, F  where F is the apparent weight of object A in the liquid L
W
and W is the actual weight of A, find the value of F.
(h) Using the equation T= W-F, Determine the value of T in Newton.
(i) What is the physical significance of value T
(j) What is the aim of this experiment?

42
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 29
You are provided with a knife edge, metre rule, a 50g and 100g mass blocks,
2 pieces of threads 20cm long each.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Find and mark the centre of gravity of the ruler as G using a pencil.
(b) Using a Vernier caliper determine the thickness, t and the width, w of the
meter rule.
(c) Place the metre rule on a knife edge so that the knife edge is at 65cm
mark. Suspend a given 100g mass at a point which balances the meter
rule. Record the distance between the knife edge and G as a cm, and
between the knife edge and the position of 100g mass as y.
(d) Suspend the mass 50g on the left hand side of the knife edge at the
position of 45cm and then adjust the position of 100g mass to balance the
metre rule as shown in the figure below.
(e) Record the new value of y and then record the distance between the 50g
mass and the knife edge as x.

(f) Repeat the procedures d and e above by changing the position of 50g to
40cm, 35cm, 30cm and 25cm.
(g) Tabulate your results for values of x (cm) and y (cm)
(h) Plot a graph of x (cm) against y (cm)
(i) Determine the slope, s of your graph.
(j) Calculate the values of z from your experimental results given that,
za
y  sx 
100
(k) State the physical significance of z
(l) What is the aim of this experiment

43
 Chapter 3 Forces in Equilibrium

Laboratory Work 30
You are provided with unknown mass m, a knife edge, a 50g and 100g mass
blocks, 3 pieces of threads and a wooden ruler.
The aim of this experiment is to determine the unknown mass of the material
m provided.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Find and mark the centre of gravity C of the metre rule AB by balancing
it freely on a knife edge.
(b) Place the metre rule on a knife edge at its centre of gravity C.
(c) Suspend a 100g mass at a distance x = 10 cm from C of the ruler.
Suspend 50g mass at distance a = 5 cm from C on the other side of C.
(d) Suspend the mass m to the side of 50g mass and adjust it until the metre
rule balances horizontally as shown in the figure below

(e) Repeat the procedure d above using distance x = 15cm, 20cm, 25cm and
30cm. Find the corresponding values of y (cm) in each experiment.
(f) Tabulate your results for values of x, and y in cm
(g) Plot a graph of x (cm) against y (cm)
(h) Calculate the slope, s of your graph.
(i) Formulate the equation of the graph
(j) Determine the unknown mass m.

44
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Chapter 4
Properties of Matter
Laboratory Work 31
You are provided with spiral spring, 2 retort stands, and meter rule, 6 slotted
masses of 50g, optical pin / pointer and plasticine/masking tape.
Proceed as follows
(a) Clamp the meter rule vertically with the zero mark on top as shown in
figure below
(b) Suspend the spring on the clamp with an optical pin (pointer) to its lower
end with the aid of a plasticine/masking tape
(c) Record the initial reading (Yo) of the pointer at the metre rule
(d) Attach a 100g weight at the lower end of the spring then record the new
reading as Y

(e) Repeat part (d) above by adding 50g weight at a time until the total
weight of the suspended weight is 300g.
(f) Tabulate your results including a column of Load (N)
(g) Plot a graph of extension against Load
(h) What is the nature of the graph?
(i) Determine the slope of the graph
(j) From the graph, determine the spring constant
(k) What is the aim of this experiment
(l) Give one limitation for this experiment
(m) State the law governing this experiment
(n) State one source of error and the precaution to be taken to avoid the
mentioned error.

45
 Chapter 4 Properties of Matter

Laboratory Work 32
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of given object B
Proceed as follows
(i) Set up the apparatus as shown in the fig below with a zero mark of a
metre rule at the top of the rule and record the scale reading by the pointer
So
(ii) On the scale pan, put object B together with a standard mass of 20g.
Record the new scale reading as S1 and calculate the extension, e = S1 –
So (cm)
(iii) Repeat procedure (b) above by substituting a 20g mass with 40g, 60g, 80g
and 100g while changing the mass, make sure object B is not removed.
Record your results in a tabular form.

(a) Table of results

Mass(g) 20 40 60 80 100
Force F(N)
Pointer reading S1(cm)
Extension, e = S1-So (cm)

(b) Plot the graph of Force F (N) (vertical axis) against extension e
(horizontal axis)
(c) Use you graph to evaluate
(i) mass of B
(ii) Spring constant K, given that force, extension, constant and
weight of B are related as follow;
F  Ke  B

46
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 33
The aim of this experiment is to investigate whether string A obeys Hooke’s law.

Proceed as follows:
Clam string A at one end, attach a weighing pan at the other end and a pointer to
give a reading on a scale as shown in Figure 1 above.
Measure and record the height, h0 in cm when the pan is empty.
Place 50 g mass on the pan and record the new height h indicated by the pointer.
Add another 50g mass each time up to 250g, and record the corresponding values of
h for added mass.
(a) Tabulate your results as shown in the table below.
Mass m, (g) 50 100 150 200 250
Height, h (cm)
Extension (h - ho ) cm
Stretching force, F (N)
(b) Plot a graph of force F (N) against extension (cm).
(c) From the graph find the
(i) Slope, K of the graph
(ii) Extension caused by a mass of 180 g.
(d) Deduce whether string A obeys Hooke’s law.
(e) State the law governing the process

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental

data will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

47
 Chapter 4 Properties of Matter

Laboratory Work 34
The aim of this experiment is to verify Hooke’s law. Set up the apparatus as
shown below

Record the length indicated by the pointer place 50g weight on the pan. Read
and record the Length indicated by the pointer. Add weights of 50g each time
up to 200g. Lead and record the corresponding values of length L for the
added weights. Unload the spring at interval of 50g until the weights are
removed from the pan read and record the corresponding lengths L indicated
by the pointer.
(a) Tabulate your results as follows:-
W Force Length L (cm) Average Extension of a
(kg) (N) length (cm) spring (cm)
Loading Unloading
L1(cm) L2(cm)
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
(b) What is the initial reading Lo indicated by the pointer?
(c) Complete the table above.
(d) Plot a graph of force (N) against extension (cm)
(e) Is the graph a straight line
(f) Does the graph pass through the origin?

48
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 35
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass, Wx and the force
constant of the spring
Proceed as follows
(a) Assemble the apparatus as shown in the figure below with zero mark of
the meter rule at the upper most end.
(b) Add 50g mass on the weight pan so that all the kinks in the spring are
removed. Leave this weight for the whole experiment but ignore it in all
readings. Record the scale reading as So.

(c) Add the weight W, = 50g on the pan and record the reading S. Calculate
the extension, e caused by the weight given by e = S – So.
(d) Repeat with different (W) procedure (c) above to obtain at least five
readings
(e) Replace the weight W by the weight Wx provided and find the
corresponding extension. Record this extension as Sx in (cm)
(f) Tabulate your results
(g) Plot the graph of Load against extension
(i) Find the gradient G of your graph.
(ii) What is the physical meaning of the gradient
(h) Use the graph you have drawn to determine the mass of the weight Wx

49
 Chapter 4 Properties of Matter

Laboratory Work 36
The aim of this experiment is to determine the spring constant, K of the
helical spring provided
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the fig above without the 200g mass,
where

(i) Points of suspension P and Q are 40cm apart,

(ii) Loops 1 and 2 are a at 5cm and 45cm marks respectively,
(iii)The pointer is attached to the lower end of the spiral spring using
plasticine,
(iv) A short string connects the lower end of the spring to loop 2
(v) Loop 1 is attached to P with a long string and
(vi) The half metre rule AB is horizontal such that the edges A and B
are at equal height from the bench. This is achieved by adjusting
the length of the string suspended from P
(b) Measure the height of the pointer from the bench. Record it as Yo
(c) (i) Suspend 200g mass provided, at loop 3. Use a short string.
(ii) Adjust loop 3 so that the 200g mass hangs at the 40cm mark i.e., X =
35cm
(iii)Adjust the string length from P such that AB is horizontal again.
(iv) Record the distance, X between the loop 1 and 3 and measure the
corresponding height, Y of the pointer from the bench. Hence
determine Y – Yo.
(v) Repeat the steps c) (ii),(iii) and (iv) for values of X = 30, 25, 20, 15,
and 10cm. and record the corresponding values of Y and Y – Yo.
(d) Plot a graph of Y – Yo (y axis) against X
(e) (i) determine the slope S of the graph and hence
(ii) Where M= 200g and PQ = 40, Calculate the value of K given that
M
K
PQS 

50
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 37
Determine the Young`s modulus of the material of the meter rule provided

Clamp the meter rule firmly with a distance L of about 90cm. overhanging
from the bench. The free end is such that it acts as a pointer along the metre
rule clamped in the vertical position. Note the scale reading, so, on the
vertical metre rule when the horizontal meter rule is not loaded.
Fasten the weighing pan at the free end of the horizontal metre rule with a
piece of strong thread. Add on to the weighing pan a mass of 20g and record
the scale reading So on the vertical meter rule. Calculate the depression, D =
S – So, corresponding to the added mass. Keeping the length L constant, add
a series of masses from say 20g to 140g in steps of 20g with each added mass,
record S and calculate D
(a) Use Vernier calipers to measure the breadth b and thickness d of the
horizontal meter rule
(b) Plot the graph of depression D against the added masses m
(c) From your graph determine the slope
(d) Calculate the Young`s modulus Y of the material of the rule use the
formula (use g = 9.8ms-2)
4 gL3
Y
bd 3 slope

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

51
 Chapter 4 Properties of Matter

Laboratory Work 38
The aim of this experiment is to determine the Young`s modulus of a given
metre rule
Proceed as follows

Take a meter-rule (L) whose weight is provided and fix it at its 10cm mark by
means of a G- clamp. Record the height (do) above the ground of the 50cm
mark of the rule.
Take the 50g weight provided and suspend it on the meter rule at 50cm mark
using a string. Note the length (l) of the rule between the position of the
clamp and the position 50g- weight.
Note also the new height (d) of the 50cm mark above the ground. (as shown
in the figure in the previous page, laboratory work)
(a) Change the position of the 50g-weight to 60cm,70cm, 80cm, 90cm
and 100cm respectively and repeat the measurements as in (a) above
each new position.
(b) Record your readings in a suitable table and include columns for X =
do – d and L3
(c) Plot a graph of  3 (vertical axis) against X = do – d(horizontal axis)
(d) Determine the slope of the graph
(e) Calculate the Young`s modulus (E) using the relation :

W 3
X  Giving your answer in SI units
3IE
Where W = 50g-weight of the rule.
b.d 3
I
12 b = width of the rule

d = thickness of the rule (Should be measured using the

venire calipers provided

52
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 39
The aim of this experiment is to determine the Young`s modulus of a given
metre rule
Proceed as follows;
(a) Use a Vernier calliper to measure the breadth and thickness of the metre
rule provided

(b) Take a meter rule and fix it at its 10cm mark by means of a G clamp.
Record the height ho above the ground. Take a 50g weight (L) provided
and suspend it on the meter rule at 90cm mark using a string. Note the
new height h above the ground.
(c) Repeat the above procedure by suspending the weights of 100g, 150g,
200g, 250g and 300g from the same position, each recording the new
height h

Questions
(i) Record your reading in a suitable table and include the column
for (ho - h)
(ii) Plot a graph of L(load) vertical axis against (ho - h) horizontal
axis
(iii) From your graph find the slope G.
(iv) Determine the Young`s modulus Y of the wooden meter rule
3
4 
given that Y    Where  is the distance of point of the
Gb  t 
weight from the clamp, b is the breadth of the meter rule and t is
the thickness of the wooden meter rule

53
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Chapter 5
Simple Harmonic Motion
Laboratory Work 40
The aim of this experiment is to find the acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ at a given
position.
Proceed as follows:-
Tie a thread to the pendulum bob provided. Hang the pendulum such that the
length l of the thread is 100cm as seen in the figure bellow.

(a) Pull the pendulum bob aside and release it so that it swings in a
vertical circle to and fro with small amplitude. Note the time t for 20
complete oscillations hence determine the periodic time T for one
oscillation.
(b) Repeat the procedure above for the values of l = 80, 60, 40 and 20cm
(c) Record your findings in a tabular form
(d) Plot a graph of l against T2
(e) Find the slop S of the graph
(f) Determine the value of ‘g’ at the position by using the relation
l
T  2
g
(g) Mention three (3) sources of errors and their amendments.

54
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 41
In this experiment you are required to find acceleration due to gravity.

By using the tread provided, tie the pendulum bob and hang it so that the
length B = 140cm as shown in the figure above.
Pull the pendulum aside and release it so as to swing with small amplitude.
Find the time (t) for 20 oscillations of the pendulum and find the period of the
oscillation.

Repeat the procedure for B = 120cm, 100cm, 80cm, 60cm, 40cm, and 20cm.
record your result in a table.
(a) Plot a graph of B (m) against T2 (sec2)
(b) Find the slope of the graph.
(c) Does the graph passes through the origin.
(d) Find the acceleration “g” due to gravity using the relationship
g 2
B T Q
4 2
(e) What does Q signify in in the equation in part (d) above?

55
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 42
In this experiment you are required to find acceleration due to gravity.

By using the tread provided, tie the pendulum bob and hang it so that the
length Y = 120cm as shown in the figure above. Pull the pendulum aside and
release it so as to swing with small amplitude. Find the time (t) for 20
oscillations of the pendulum and find the period of the oscillation. Repeat the
procedure for Y = 100cm, 80cm, 60cm, 40cm and 20cm. Record your result
in a table. Measure and record the distance X(m) from the point of suspension
S to the floor
(a) Plot a graph of Y (meters) against T2 (sec2)
(b) Using the relationship Y  kT 2  C . Solve for the slope k,
(c) Find the acceleration “g” due to gravity given that:-
 1 4 2

k g
(d) Using your graph, read and note C, the value of Y when T2 = 0 and
from your understanding, state its significance.
(e) State three sources of error and the ways of minimizing the mentioned
errors.

56
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 43
The aim of this experiment is to determine the acceleration due to gravity.
Procedure
(a) Suspend the pendulum from a fixed point using the retort stand such that
it is at a distance d = 10cm from the floor. H is the distance from the point
of suspension to the floor.
(b) Displace the pendulum through a small angle to one side and
record the time t for 10 complete oscillations. Hence find the periodic
time T for one complete oscillation.
(c) Repeat the procedures in (b) above by varying d in intervals of 10cm to
obtain five more readings.
(d) Tabulate your results for the values of d, t, T and T2

(e) Plot a graph of T2 against d (cm)

i. Determine the slope of the graph
ii. Determine the intercept along the d axis and state its significance.
iii. Calculate the acceleration due to gravity g if the equation for the
motion of the pendulum, is given by:-
 4 2 4 2
T2  d H
g g

57
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 44
The aim of this experiment is to determine the ratio p as defined in part (c),
using a simple pendulum.
 Tie a thread to a given pendulum bob. Make a knot distance from the
bob. This distance should be at the order of 10cm.
 Set up a pendulum as shown in the figure below. Measure and record
the distance “b” between the knot K and the pendulum bob B
 The distance between the knot K and the point of suspension S is
denoted by X as indicated in the figure below.

(a) Suspend the pendulum as it is shown in the figure. Adjust x to be

10cm. x is the distance between the point of suspension “S” and the
knot “K” on the string.
(b) Pull the string at its point of suspension until x = 10cm, swing the
pendulum and
measure the time (t) for 30 oscillations of small amplitudes of
vibrations.
(c) Calculate the periodic time T for one oscillation and hence determine
T2. Record the value of x, t. T and T2. Repeat the above procedure for
values of x = 20, 40, 60 and 80cm.
(d) Plot a graph of T2 (y – axis) against x(x – axis)
(e) i. Determine the value of the slope and Read and record To2 the value
of T2 when X = 0

ii.Hence compute for the ratio Q where Q = and state how b relate

to
iii. Find the acceleration due to gravity

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 45
The aim of this experiment is to find the acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ and
the constant Tc for the ruler provided
Proceed as follows:-
Tie a thread to the pendulum bob provided. Hang the pendulum such that the
length L of the thread is 100cm as seen in the figure bellow.

(a) Using a fixed clamp fix the meter ruler on one leg of the table as shown.
(the flat part of the ruler should be 80cm)
(b) By means of a string given, suspend the pendulum bob from the hole
through the meter rule as shown in the diagram above
(c) Starting with L = 80cm distance, the bob through a small angle along the
direction of the length of the ruler then release it so that it performs small
amplitude oscillations.
(d) Pull the pendulum bob aside and release it so that it swings in a vertical
circle to and fro with small amplitude. Note the time t for 20 complete
oscillations hence determine the periodic time T for one oscillation and
hence the periodic time T for one complete oscillation.
(e) Without altering L (a) above, repeat procedures (c) and (d) for l = 70cm,
60cm, 50cm, 30cm and 20cm.
(f) Record your findings in a tabular form
(g) Plot a graph of T2 against l
(h) Determine the value of ‘g’ and the value of the constant Tc, given that:-
39.48
T2  l  Tc
g
(i) What is the significance of the constant in your experiment
(j) Mention any two (2) sources of errors involved and the precautions taken
in this experiment.

59
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 46
In this experiment you are required to find acceleration due to gravity.

By using the tread provided, tie the pendulum bob and hang it so that the
length L = 120cm as shown in the figure above. Pull the pendulum aside and
release it so as to swing with small amplitude. Find the time (t) for 20
oscillations of the pendulum and find the period of the oscillation. Repeat the
procedure for L = 100cm, 80cm, 60cm, 40cm, and 20cm. record your result in
a table.
(a) Plot a graph of L (m) against T2.
(b) Find the slope of the graph.
(c) Find the acceleration “g” due to gravity and the height H by using
the relationship:-
4 2
T2  L  4H
g
(d) State two sources of error and the ways of minimizing the
mentioned errors.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 47
You are to perform the following experiment:
(a) Tie a thread to a given pendulum bob. Fix a wooden rod as shown
in the figure below and mark its reach point N, then remove the
rod.

(b) Measure a distance J = 20 cm from point N to the point of

suspension of the pendulum.
(c) Displace the bob to a small distance and release it so that it
performs t and fro motion.
(d) Determine the time, t for twenty complete oscillations and hence
the periodic time , t for twenty complete oscillations and hence
the periodic time T
(e) Repeat the procedures (b) to (d) for values of J = 40 cm, 60 cm,
80 cm and 100 cm.
Questions
(i) Tabulate your values of J, t, T and T2
(ii) Plot a graph of T2 (sec2) against J (cm)
(iii) Find the gradient, G of the graph.
(iv) Determine the values of “k” from the equation
T 2  GJ  k 
(v) What does the value of “k” represent?

61
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 48

You are provided with a string of about 100 cm long, a retort stand with
clamps and a pendulum bob.
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure below

(b) Set L = 90cm, displace a pendulum through a small angle of

about 10o and let it oscillate.
(c) Then, note the time, t for 10 complete oscillations.
(d) Repeat the procedure (b) and (c) for L = 80cm, 60cm, 50cm and
40cm
(e) Tabulate your results including a column of t2
(f) Plot a graph of t2 against L
(g) Derive an equation of the graph and use it to define the physical
meaning of the ratio of t2 – intercept N to the gradient M
(h) Calculate the value of constant C given that:-
N
C
M
(i) State any two sources of errors from this experiment and give
their precautions.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 49
You are provided with a string of about 120 cm long, a retort stand with
clamps and a pendulum bob.
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure below

(b) Set X = 110cm, displace a pendulum through a small angle of

about 10o and let it oscillate.
(c) Then, note the time, t for 20 complete oscillations.
(d) Repeat the procedure (b) and (c) for X = 90cm, 70cm, 50cm and
30cm
(e) Tabulate your results including a column of T2
(f) Plot a graph of T2 against X
(g) Derive an equation of the graph and use it to define the physical
meaning of T2 – intercept B and the gradient M
(h) Calculate the value of constant C given that:-
B
C
M
(i) State any two sources of errors from this experiment and give
their precautions.

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the

experimental data will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted,
then all the basic requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes,
best line/curve, slope indication and transfer of points will be
considered.

63
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 50
Set up a pendulum as shown in the figure below. The length L approximately
80cm using the equipment provided.

(i) Mount the wooden rod horizontally so that it acts as a stopper about half
way down the pendulum. The stopper should just touch the string when
the pendulum rests in a vertical position.
(ii) Measure and record the value of d
(iii)Pull the pendulum gently so as to make it swing in vertical perpendicular
to the stopper
(iv) Measure the time (t) for 20 oscillations.
(v) Repeats steps (c-e) above for five further values of “d” in range of d =
20cm to 60cm.
(a) Include in your table of results the values of d/t justify the number of
significance you have given for d/t.
(b) It is assumed that T and d are related by the formula
2 d  l
T     2
g t g
(c) Where g is the acceleration of free fall.
d
(d) Plot a graph of T (y – axis) against x – axis)
t
(e) Determine the value of the slope of your graph
(f) Find the acceleration due to gravity
(g) State four (04) sources of errors and their precautions in this
experiment

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 51
The aim of this experiment is to determine the springs constant ‘K’ and the
unknown mass Mo provided.

Procedures
(i) Suspend a spiral spring with its scale pan from support as indicated in the
figure above.
(ii) Load it with mass m’ = 50g and Mo, pull the scale pan slightly below the
equilibrium position and released it so that the system executes vertical
oscillation
(iii) Determine the period time for 10 Oscillations.
(iv) Repeat this procedure with five other different masses in steps of 50g [i.e.
M’ = 100g, 150g, 200g and 250g] every time you change Mo make sure
M’ remains on the scale pan.
(v) The period T and the spring constant K are related by an expression of the
form any of the two equations given below.
4 2 ' 4 2
T2  m  mo
k k
kgT 2
m'   mo
4 2
Where m’ is unknown mass, k the spring constant, mo is the varying mass and
T is the periodic time.
Tabulate your result as shown below
Mass m’ (g) Time(s) for 30 oscillations Periodic time T(sec) T2(sec2)
50
100
150
200
250
 Plot a graph of T2 against M’, and use it to determine the quantities of K
and Mo
 Plot a graph of M’ against T2 using the same table of results. Hence
deduce the unknown mass Mo and acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ after
calculating K from the extension caused by a 50g block.

65
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 52
In this experiment you are required to find the relationship between the length
of a simple pendulum and its period.
Proceed as follows:
(a) Suspend a simple pendulum of length L =100cm.
(b) Displace the pendulum through a small angle so that it swings parallel
to the edge of the table, determine the time for 20 oscillations.
(c) Continue reducing the length of the pendulum by 10cm each time and
obtain a total of five readings
(d) Record your readings in a table as shown below.
Length, Log 10 L Time, Periodic Log 10T
L (m) t (sec) time, T (sec)

Assuming that T & La, we have T=k La and taking log to base ten on
both sides we get
Log10T  aLog10 L  Log10 K

(i) Plot a graph of log10T (Vertical axis) against log10L hence

determine the values of a and K each correct to one decimal place.
(ii) From your answer in (i) above write down the value of a and K
b
each in the form of where b and c are integers (i.e. Whole
c
numbers)
(iii) From the assumptions and your answer in (ii) deduce the form of
the equation governing the motion of the simple pendulum.

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

66
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 53
The aim of this experiment is to determine the earth’s gravitational intensity,
g and the effective mass s of the spiral spring.
Proceed as follows:

(a) Suspend the spiral spring with its scale pan, P as shown in the diagram
above from a rigid support. Attach a light pointer, R to the spring. Set
up a metre rule, C besides the spring.
(b) Record the initial reading of the pointer and then add suitable weights,
m noting the reading of the pointer each time. Obtain about six
readings.
(c) Tabulate your results.
(d) Plot a graph of x against m.
(e) If the extension, x of the spring is related to the added weights m by:-
g g
x m s
k k
Where k is the elastic constant of the spring, Use the given relation
and your graph to determine:
(i) A value of g, in Newton’s per kilogram,
(ii) A value for S in kilogram.

67
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 54
The aim of this experiment is to determine the acceleration due to gravity g
and the constant H. Set up the apparatus as shown in the fig below whereby a
spiral spring is tied to the clamp of a retort stand with an inextensible cotton
string.
A wooden block of mass 150g is hanged on the lower part of the spring.
Measure the height h from the floor to the point of attachment of the block

Pull the block downward and release it so that it can swing with vertical
oscillations. This is a simple harmonic motion. Measure the time t for 20
complete oscillations and hence determine the corresponding period T for
the motion then calculate the value of T2
(a) Repeat the procedure by changing the mass of the wooden block to m =
200g, 250g, 300g, 350g, and 400g in each time record the value of the
height h from the floor
(b) Tabulate the values of m, t, T and T2
(c) (i) Plot a graph of h against T2
(ii) Determine the slope of your graph
(iii) If H and T are related through the equation below, Find the value of g
and H
gT 2
hH
4 2
(d) State all possible sources of errors in this experiment and state the
precautionary measures that are to be taken in order to reduce the effect of
those errors

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 55
The aim of this experiment is to determine the mass of the spring S and its
spring constant K
(a) Suspend the spiral spring to the retort stand as shown below

(b) Load the lower end of the spring with a mass of M = 50g and then pull
the mass slightly vertically downwards thrugh a short distance from an
equilibrium position and release it so that the system executes vertical
oscillations of small amplitudes.
(c) Use a stop whatch to record the time t (sec) for 20 vertical oscillations
and then determine the periodic time T (sec), hence determine T2 (sec2)
(d) Repeat this procedure for the other four (4) masses in step of 50g.
(e) Tabulate your results.
(f) If it is found that the Period T of oscillations and the spring constant k are
related by:
T2 M S

4 2
k
Where by S is the effective mass of the spring
(i) Plot a graph of T2 against M
(ii) Calculate the slope of the graph, and
(iii) Determine the value of S and K

69
 Chapter 5 Simple Harmonic Motion

Laboratory Work 56
The aim of this experiment is to determine the unknown mass Mo and the
acceration due to gravity by using an oscillating mass attached to the spiral
spring
Proceed as follows:-
Step I
(a) Note that the metre rule has its zero mark at the top
(b) Record the pointer reading as Xo

(c) Put on the scale a mass of 50g and record the pointer reading as X on the
metre rule.
(d) Calculate the extension, e = X – Xo corresponding to the added mass.
(e) Find the vaue of the constant, K given by:-
Tension 50 g
k 
Extension E
Step II
(a) Remove the scale pan and attach the unknown mass Mo with the 50g at
the end of the spring. Slightly pull down the masses such that it oscillates
up and down. Measure and record the time for 30 complete oscillations.
(b) Repeat the procedure (a) above by substituting a mass of 50g with 100g,
150g, 200g and 250g respectively each time with unknown mass attached
and measuring the time taken to make 30 oscillations
(c) Record your measurements in a table as shown beow:-
Load, M (g) Time for 30 oscillations (sec) Period, T (sec) T2 (sec2)
50
100
150
200
250
(i) Plot a graph of M against T2
(ii) Find the slope and the intercept on the m-axis
(iii) Use the equation and your graph to calcuate the value of the
acceleration due to gravty, g and the unknown mass, Mo given that,
KgT 2
M   Mo
4 2

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 57
The aim of this experiment is to determine the acceleration due to gravity g

Procedures
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown above. Note that the meter rule has its
zero marks at the top. Record the pointer reading Xo
(b) Put on the scale pan a mass M of 50g and record the new pointer
reading X on the meter rule. Calculate the extension S = X –Xo
corresponding to the added mass.
(c) Repeat the procedure for a series of masses M in steps of 50g until
you obtain five more readings. Tabulate your results for M, X and S.
(d) With a mass M1 of 200g on the scale pan, pull the spring through a
small distance downwards and release it. Record the time for 15
complete oscillations & determine the periodic time T1.
(e) Repeat procedure (d) for another mass M2 of 300g and find its
periodic time T2
(i) Plot the graph of extension S against mass M.
(ii) Determine the slope G of the graph.
(f) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity g, given that:-
 M  M1 
g  4 2 G 22 
2 
 2
T  T1 
(g) State any sources of errors and precautions to be taken

Possible Errors in the Pendulum Experiments

1) Time reaction
 Hesitancy in either starting or stopping the stop watch
2) Wind blow
 Affects the oscillating exercises
3) Using wrong calibrated instruments and graphs
 Some graphs have less millimeters than prescribed lengths
4) Using a single data to conclude the experiment
 Using one oscillation to calculate a periodic time
5) Oscillating the pendulum at a large angle
 Angle of displacement of the bob should be kept as small as
possible to minimize the possible friction due to more air
resistance
6) Using a slightly extensible or a loose string to its point of suspension
 This results into extending the periodic time

71
 Chapter 6 Friction

Chapter 6
Friction
Laboratory Work 58
Apart from the normal laboratory fittings, a laboratory technician should
prepare the following apparatuses for each set of the experiment:

Four slotted masses each of 100 g, a wooden block (20 cm x 10 cm x 7 cm)

with hook, wooden board (60 cm x 20 cm x 2 cm), a scale pan/mass hanger, a
light inextensible string of 50 cm, a spring balance, a simple frictionless
pulley, standard masses of 2g, 10g, 50g, 100g and 200g.
Procedures
(a) Set up the experiment as shown below

(b) Measure the mass (m) of a wooden block with a hook.

(c) Place the wooden block with the hook on a frictional wooden board.
(d) Attach a spring balance to the hook and the free end of the spring balance.
(e) Tie the string which passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in the
figure.
(f) Attach a loaded scale pan to the other free end of the string.
(g) Place masses on the scale pan until the wooden block starts moving, then
record the reading on the spring balance as static friction, fs.
(h) Add 100 g mass on top the wooden block and then put some masses on
the scale pan until block with 100 g starts to slide (move) and then record
the reading on the spring balance as fs.
(i) Repeat part (g) for 200g 300 g, 400 g and 500 g.
(j) Tabulate your results as shown in the following table:
Mass, m (wooden block Normal reaction, R = mg Static friction f s
+ slotted mass) kg (N) (N)

(k) Plot a graph of the static friction, fs against the normal reaction, R.
(l) Determine the gradient of the graph.
(m) What is the significance of the gradient of the graph?
(n) What happens to static friction as the total mass on the wooden board
increases?

72
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Chapter 7
Heat
Laboratory Work 59
You are required to plot the cooling curves for hot water in a calorimeter for
the following cases:

(i) About half full of water

(ii) About two-thirds full of water

Proceed as follows:
(a) Half fill with water a weighed calorimeter so that the temperature
immediately after this operation is about 60oC. Observe the
temperature of the contents at intervals of two minutes as it cools over
the temperature of between 60oC – 45oC.
(b) Weigh the calorimeter and water after the experiment.
(c) Repeat the procedure in (a) and (b) above with the calorimeter about
two thirds full of water.
(d) Plot both cooling curves in the same frame of axes.
(i) Use the two curves to obtain from them the ratio of the times
taken to cool over the following temperature intervals 60 oC –
50 oC, 60 oC – 45 oC and 55 oC – 45 oC.
(ii) Calculate the ratio of the total thermal capacities in the two
experiments.
(iii) Comment on the ratio obtained in (i) and (ii) above.
(iv) Explain why the shapes of the two curves are different.

The specific heat for a copper calorimeter is 420 Jkg-1K-1

The specific heat for an aluminum calorimeter is 900 Jkg-1K-1

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

73
 Chapter 7 Heat

Laboratory Work 60
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the manner in which a calorimeter
containing hot water cools down.

Proceed as follows:
(a) Fill cold water into the beaker provided. Heat the beaker and contents
on a Bunsen burner (or any suitable heater) until the water reaches a
temperature of about 90oC.
(b) Now pour the hot water into the calorimeter until it is about three-
quarters full and then set up the calorimeter as illustrated in the figure
below:-

(c) Carefully observe and record the temperature, of the water inside
the calorimeter after every two minutes. Continue this process while
stirring the calorimeter until the temperature of the water drops to
about 50 oC.
(i) Tabulate the values of (in oC) and the corresponding values
of time t (in minutes), starting at t = 0. Also measure and
record the room temperature, R.
(ii) Plot the cooling curve for the calorimeter and its contents
using the table in (i) above.
(iii) Choose six points ( ,t) along the curve in (ii) above, then at
each point draw the tangent to the curve and then determine
the gradient, G of the curve at the point. (iv)
(iv) Calculate and record the excess temperature, ( - R)
corresponding to each of the six points chosen. Hence make
up a table that consists of values of G as well as corresponding
values of ( - R).
(v) Using the results in (iv) above, draw a graph of “Rate of
cooling, G” against “Excess Temperature, ( - R)”
(vi) Compare the results in (v) above with Newton’s law of cooling
and make any relevant comments

74
 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 61
The aim of this experiment is to determine the specific heat capacity of the oil
provided by the method of cooling.
Proceed as follows:-
You are provided with a calorimeter whose specific heat capacity is known,
oil, stopwatch, water and thermometer (of range 0 -100 oC)
Pour about 120 cm3 of the oil in a beaker and warm it until it reaches a
temperature of about 60 oC.
Weigh the calorimeter and place it on insulting supports as shown in the
figure below

(a) Measure 100 cm3 of the warm oil and pour it into the calorimeter.
(b) Record the temperature fall at intervals of 30 seconds until a
temperature of about 45 oC is reached. Reweigh the calorimeter with
oil.
(c) Repeat the experiment using water in place of oil.
(d) Tabulate your results.
(e) Plot on the same scale, and axes of your graph paper, a graph of
temperature, against time, t for both water and oil.
(f) Find the time, in seconds, for the water and the oil to cool by two
degrees from the graph.
(g) Record these at t1 and t2 for water and oil respectively.
(h) Using the formula:-

Where:-
m = mass of oil
m1 = mass of calorimeter
m2 = mass of water
c = specific heat capacity of oil
cw = specific heat capacity of water = 4200 Jkg-1K-1
c1 = specific heat capacity of calorimeter = 380 Jkg-1K-1
Calculate c, the specific heat capacity of the oil
(i) State any sources of errors and precautions taken.

75
 Chapter 7 Heat

Laboratory Work 62
The aim of this experiment is to determine the boiling points of liquids E and
F and to find their rates of cooling at 70 oC temperature under the conditions
of the surroundings.

Proceed as follows:
(a) Using one of the beakers, take about 200 cm3 of the warm
liquid E and heat it until it boils. Note and record the boiling
temperature, E of liquid E.
(b) Quickly transfer the beaker of boiling liquid E and place it on
the wooden block provided as shown in the figure below.

Note the temperature and immediately start the stop-watch.

(c) While stirring the liquid with your thermometer and constantly
fanning with the pieces of paper provided, note and record the
temperature of the liquid E at two minute intervals as it cools.
(d) Keep on fanning the beaker, stirring the liquid noting and
recording the temperature until the liquid has cooled to about
55 oC.
(e) Tabulate your values of temperature, and the corresponding
time, t.
(f) Plot a graph of (vertical axis) against t (horizontal axis).
Determine the rate of cooling of liquid E at 70 oC.
(g) Repeat the steps (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above for the
liquid labeled F.
(h) Based on the rates of cooling at 70 0C
(i) What do you think liquid E is?
(ii) What do you think liquid F is?

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 63
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the relation between the rate of
loss of heat from a calorimeter and the temperature excess over its
surroundings under conditions of forced convection.
Proceed as follows:

(a) Put some water in the beaker provided and leave it to heat from the burner
(or heater) till the water boils.
(b) While the water is being heated set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 7
where the calorimeter is placed on a wooden base provided. Place the stirrer
in the appropriate opening in the lid and cover the calorimeter. Clamp one
of the thermometers to pass through the other opening in the lid so as to be
able to read the temperature of the water.
(c) When the water in the beaker has boiled, transfer some to the calorimeter till
the level of the water in the calorimeter is about three quarters full.

(d) Read and record the temperature, of the water at every 2 minute intervals,
beginning when the temperature of the water is about 80 oC. As the
experiment progresses, gently stir the water and fan the calorimeter with
some paper. Take your readings for 20 minutes.
(e) Using the other thermometer, read and record the room temperature at the
beginning and at the end of the experiment. Hence find the average room
o
temperature, .

(i) Plot a graph of log10 ( - o) against time, t.

(ii) Theoretically, the experiment obeys the relation:-
o
log10 ( - ) = -kt + constant.
(iii) Determine the values of k and the constant. (iii) What is the physical
meaning of k?

77
 Chapter 8 Light in Plane Mirrors

Chapter 8
Light in Plane Mirrors
Laboratory Work 64
The aim of this experiment is to determine the distance of the image from a
plane mirror.
PROCEDURE:-

(a) Place the soft board on a horizontal bench. Fix the white sheet of
paper on the soft board using drawing pins. Draw line L, 15cm
length at the middle of the white sheet of paper using the ruler and
a pencil. Support a mirror vertically upwards on a sheet of white
paper with the help of a supporting wooden stand.
(b) Measure OL, a 4.0cm line perpendicular to the reflecting surface
of the mirror
(c) Place a search pin at the extreme end of the line at point O.
(d) Place two search pins R, S to fall in line with the image when
viewed at bench level. Repeat this procedure c) with two other
pins P and Q.
(e) Mark the pins position and draw a straight line through QP and
extend it behind the mirror and draw the second line through SR
also extends it until it intersects with the line from QP.
(f) Repeat the procedures above for OL = 4.2cm, 4.4cm, 4.6cm and
4.8cm.
(g) Measure their corresponding distances LI and record OL and LI in
tabular form

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 65
You are provided with the following apparatus;
A plain mirror, mirror holders, a soft board, four (4) optical pins, a protractor
and five white sheets of paper.
Procedures:-
(a) On the white sheet of paper provided draw two lines AB and BC, such
that the angle ABC is equal to 95o (the length of the lines AB and BC
should be about equal to the lengths of the two plane mirrors provided).
Draw a line QM making an angle 45o with the line AB at point Q about
the middle of AB. Place the two mirrors lengthwise along AB and BC
vertically as shown in the figure below

(b) Fix two pins P1 and P2 along QM. Place two other pins P3 and P4 in line
with the images I1 and I2 of P1 and P2 as seen through the mirror BC
(c) Remove the mirrors and draw the lines P1P2 and P3P4 produced to meet
at T. Measure and record the angles QTR (yo) and ABC (xo)
(d) Repeat the above procedure with the angle ABC (xo) equal to 100o, 105o,
110o and 115o
Questions
(i) Tabulate your results
(ii) Plot a graph of yo against xo
(iii)Determine the slope P from your graph
(iv) What is the value of y when x is equal to zero
(v) What is the value of x when y is equal to zero
(vi) What is the nature of the graph in (ii) above
(vii) State two source of error in this experiment and their precautions
Note that, the diagram of the working sheets is among the answer papers.

79
 Chapter 8 Light in Plane Mirrors

Laboratory Work 66
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the relationship between the angle
of rotation of the reflected ray from a plane mirror and the angle of the
mirror.
Procedure:-

(a) Pin the drawing paper provided to the desk or drawing board with the
drawing pins and draw two straight lines A1B1 and A2B2 to enclose an
angle of α = 100
(b) Draw a line through making an angle 750 with A1B1. This represents
the incident ray and inserts two pins P and Q on this line.
(c) Place the reflecting surface of the mirror along A1B1, place pins T and
U to appear in line with images of P and Q. Join OTU.
(d) Turn the mirror clockwise through an angle α = 100 so that it’s
reflecting surface is now along A2B2.
(e) Stick pins R and S to appear in the line with the image of P and Q.
Join the line ORS.
(f) Record the angle corresponding to as shown in the diagram above.
(g) Repeat the experiment with α = 15 , 200, 250, 300 and 350.
0

(h) Draw the graph of angle β against angle α.

(i) Determine the slop of the graph.
(j) From the graph give the relationship between α and β.

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Laboratory Work 67
In this experiment, you are provided with two (2) mirrors, one optical pin, a sheet of
plane paper, a drawing board, a protractor and mirror holders
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Draw two (2) lines on a plane sheet of paper securely fixed on the drawing board
at angle using your ruler and a protractor.
(b) Place one mirror on each of the lines of the sheet of paper.
(c) Fix an optical pin on point O and look into both mirrors and count the number of
images for = 1200. Then repeat the procedure for = 900, 720, 600, 450 and 300
(i) Table of results
Angle between mirrors 120 90 72 60 45 30
Number of images n
3600
0
1 1 
 
  deg ree 

3600
(ii) Plot the first graph of against and from the graph
0
(a) Determine the slope of your graph M to the nearest ones
3600
(b) Determine the - intercept on the graph and call it Z
0

3600
(c) If the equation relating , M with Z is given by
0
360 0
 Mn  Z
0
Rewrite it using the values of M and Z obtained above.
3600
(iii) Plot the second graph of n against and use it to:-
0

(a) Determine the slope of your graph G to the nearest tens
(b) Determine the n- intercept on the graph and call it P
(c) If the equation relating n with P is given by
G
n P

Rewrite it using the values of G and P obtained above.
(iv) Suggest the aim of this experiment.

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 Chapter 8 Light in Plane Mirrors

Laboratory Work 68
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the relationship between the angle
of incidence and angle of reflection.
Procedure:-
Place the soft board on a horizontal bench. Fix the white sheet of paper on the
soft board using drawing pins. Support a mirror vertically upwards on a sheet
of white paper with the help of a supporting wooden block.

(a) Locate a point O at the middle of the mirror as shown above. Draw a
line ON normal to the mirror from point O. Draw lines on a white
sheet paper from point O making angles of 200 measured from line
ON using a protractor
(b) Insert two pins P1 and P2 in the line AO i.e. the closest line to the
normal with 200, so that the incident ray is along AO.
(c) Then using two other pins P3 and P4 identify the reflected ray OR by
using a line not by a dotted line as seen above.
(d) Measure and record the angle of incidence i0 and its resultant angle of
reflection r0.
(e) Repeat all the procedures above for the angles of 250, 300, 350 400, 450
and 500 measured from the line ON and record the corresponding
angle of reflection r.
(i) Tabulate your results as follows.
The incidence angle (io) 200 300 400 500 600
The reflected angle (ro)
(ii) Draw a graph of incidence angle versus angle of reflection.
(iii) What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and
the angle of reflection for any incident ray on the mirror?

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Laboratory Work 69
The aim of this experiment is to determine the image distance IP
Procedure:-

(a) Place the soft board on a horizontal bench. Fix the white sheet of paper on
the soft board using drawing pins.
(b) Support a mirror vertically upwards on a sheet of white paper with the
help of a supporting wooden block. Draw line AB at the middle of the
white sheet of paper using the ruler and a pencil.
(c) Place the mirror on line AB and fix an optical pin at a point about 10cm in
front of the mirror. Observe through the mirror from the side position
such as point E on the figure above.
(d) Locate pin I behind the mirror by searching for a position of no parallax
between the image of pin O and the searching pin I by fixing pins C and
D which appear to be along the line of sight of line EI. Remove the mirror
and pins.
(e) Label the pin marks with letters O, I, C and D using a pencil. Complete
the ray diagram maintaining the principle that lines behind the mirror are
dotted and not continuous.
(f) Locate the actual position I of the image which should lie at the point
intersection of lines OI extended and line CD extended.
(g) Locate point P along OI on AB. Measure and record the lengths OP and
PI.
(h) Repeat procedure (b) to (g) for an optical pin O placed at 12cm, 14cm,
16cm, 18cm and 20cm.
(i) Plot a graph of OP against PI and use the graph to deduce
(j) The relationship between image distance PI and the object distance OP.
(k) Why are the lines behind the mirror drawn as dotted lines?
(l) Predict three possible characteristics of the image formed
(m) State two possible source of errors in this experiment
(n) Mention the precautions for the errors mentioned in (m) above to be
prevented.

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 Chapter 9 Light in Curved Mirrors

Chapter 9
Light in Curved Mirrors
Laboratory Work 70
A concave mirror was used in an experiment with the arrangement shown below

Procedures
(a) Put an optical pin (as an object) at a distance, u = 20 cm from the centre of
the curved mirror.
(b) Using another pin (searching pin), trace a position, V that appears to be the
location of the image formed.
(c) Repeat procedure (a) and (b) above, for the distance, U =30cm, 40cm, 50cm
and 60cm and their corresponding V
(d) Tabulate your result as follow
Object distance, u (cm) 20 30 40 50 60
Image distance, v (cm)
1
(cm-1)
u
1
(cm-1)
v

1 1
(e) Plot a graph of against
v u
(f) From your graph, find the intercepts and the average of the intercepts
(g) What is the significance of the average of the intercepts
(h) Deduce the intended quantity in (g) above
(i) Suggest the aim of the experiment

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Chapter 10
Light in Prisms
Laboratory Work 71
The aim of this experiment is to determine the refractive index of a given
glass block.

Place the rectangular glass block on the white paper on a drawing board.
Using a pencil, trace the outline of the block ABCD. Remove the glass block
and draw a normal NON’.
Using a protractor and a pencil measure 𝑎n angle of with the surface AB
of the glass block. Erect two pins T1 and T2 on this line and at a suitable
distance from one another. Return the block and erect the pins T3 and T4 at a
position such that they lie in a straight line with pins T1 and T2 as seen
through the glass block. Now remove the block and draw a complete path of
the ray OM as shown in the figure and measure the angle r
Repeat the procedure for values of every time
recording their corresponding angle r. In each case make a drawing on a fresh
part of the drawing paper.
(a) Record the values in a tabular form as shown below
io 30 40 50 60 70
ro
Sin io
Sin ro
(b) Plot a graph of Sin io against Sin ro
(c) Find the slope G of the graph
(d) Calculate the value of the refractive index ƞ;
(e) Verify Snell’s law
(f) State any two sources of errors in this experiment

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 Chapter 10 Light in Prisms

Laboratory Work 72
The aim of this experiment is to determine the refractive index of a glass for
light passing from air to glass.
Proceed as follows:-

(a) Place the rectangular glass block on the white paper on a drawing
board. Using a pencil, trace the outline of the block abxy. Remove the
glass block and draw a normal NAB near the left end of the block.
(b) Using a protractor and a pencil measure with the surface of
the block. Erect two pins P1 and P2 on this line and at a suitable
distance apart. Replace the block and erect two more pins P3 and P4 at
a position such that they lie in a straight line with pins P1 and P2 as
seen through the glass block. Again remove the block and draw a
complete path of the ray as shown in the figure above.
(c) Repeat the procedures (a) and (b) above for values of
each time make your drawing on a fresh part
of the drawing paper.
(d) Record clearly in a table the values of , BC, AC, Cos and K ,
Note that, K is calculated as

(i) Plot a graph of Cos (vertical axis) against K (horizontal axis)

(ii) Determine the relative refractive index ; given that
Cos

k
(iii) State any two sources of errors in this experiment

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Laboratory Work 73
You are given the following items
A soft board, 4 optical pins, 1 glass block, 2 top-head pins and 1 white paper
Procedure
a) Using the drawing pins provided, fix the white paper on a soft board.
b) Place the glass block in the middle of the sheet of paper, and using a
pencil mark the outline PQRS of the glass block.
c) Remove the glass block; draw a perpendicular line to PQ at B.

d) Draw a line AB such that angle i is 10.and replace the glass block
e) Stick two pins P1 and P2 along AB and looking through the glass
block from the opposite face SR, stick two other pins P3 and P4 in line
with P1 and P2. Remove the glass block join C and D.
f) Measure and record distances X and Y
g) Repeat procedures (d) to (g) for value of i equal to 20, 30, 40, 50,
60 and 70
h) Enter your results in a table, including values of sin i and x ( i is
y
the angle of incidence)
i) Plot a graph of sin i against x
y
j) Give out the physical meaning of the slope from the graph plotted in
(j) above.
k) Give out the source of errors and how to counterbalance them.

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 Chapter 10 Light in Prisms

Laboratory Work 74
The aim of this experiment is to determine the refractive index of a given
glass block.

Procedure
(i) Use two of the six pins provided to fix the white paper on a soft board.
Place the glass block in the middle of the sheet of paper, and using a
pencil mark the outline of the glass block. Remove the glass block;
draw a perpendicular line (Normal) NON’ near the left end of the
block as shown in the figure above.
(ii) Using a protractor and a pencil, measure = 30 from the normal.
Insert two pins P1 and P2 on the line and at a suitable distance from
one another.
(iii) Replace the glass block and insert pins P3 and P4 at a position in such
a manner that they lie in a straight line with the images of P1 and P2 as
seen through the second face Now remove the glass block and draw a
complete path of the ray as shown in the figure.
(iv) Repeat procedures (i) to (iii) for the values of equal to 40, 50, 60
and 70. In each case, make a drawing on a fresh part of the drawing
paper.
(v) Measure and record the length, l, width, w and thickness, t of the glass
block given
(vi) Tabulate your results
io 300 400 500 600 700
ro
tan ro
x (cm)
(a) Using the data in the table
(i) Plot the graph of x against tan r
(ii) Determine the gradient of the graph
(b) Explain what the value of the gradient means
(c) State sources of errors in this experiment
(d) Mention any two precautions to be taken in doing the experiment

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Laboratory Work 75
The aim of this experiment is to determine the refractive index n of a glass
block
Procedures
(a) Fix the plane sheet of paper provided on the soft board using optical
pins.
(b) Place the glass block on the sheet of paper so that the largest face is
topmost as shown in the figure and trace out the outline of the glass
block.

(c) Stick Pins P1 and P2 in the soft board in such a way that the angle of
incidence i is 25o and make sure that AO is less than one third of AB
(d) Place pins P3 and P4 so that they appear to be in line with the images
of P1 and P2 as observed through the face CD of the block.
(e) Remove the block and trace the ray through it
(f) Measure and record distance L
(g) Replace the block and repeat procedures (c) and (f) for the angles of
incidence i = 35o, 45o, 55o and 65o

(h) Tabulate your results including the values of sin2 i and

(i) Plot a graph of sin2 i against

(j) Determine the slope, S, of your graph and the intercept C on the sin2 i
axis.

(k) Find the values of “n” from the relation and the width w of the
glass block from the relation:-
( S )
w
n

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 Chapter 10 Light in Prisms

Laboratory Work 76
The aim of this experiment is to determine the refractive index of a given
glass block.

Place the rectangular glass block on the white paper on a drawing board.
Using a pencil, trace the outline of the block. Remove the glass block and
draw a normal NON’ near the left end of the block.Using a protractor and
a pencil measure draw a line making the angle with the
surface RR’ of the glass block.
Erect two pins T1 and T2 on this line and at a suitable distance from one
another. Return the block and erect the pins T3 and T4 at a position such
that they lie in a straight line with pins T1 and T2 as seen through the glass
block.
Now remove the block and draw a complete path of the ray OM as shown
in the figure.
Measure the length MN’ and OM
Repeat the procedure for values of every time record
the length of their corresponding MN’ and OM. In each case make a
drawing on a fresh part of the drawing paper.

(a) Record the values of , MN’, OM, and Cos .

(b) Plot a graph of against Cos .

(c) Find the slope G of the graph
(d) Calculate the value of the critical angle C, where G = sin C0

(e) Calculate the value of the refractive index ; given that G =

(f) State any two sources of errors in this experiment

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Laboratory Work 77
You are provided with a glass block, four sheets of drawing paper, four
optical pins (or office pins) and a drawing board.
Proceed as follows:-
 Place a glass block flat on the drawing paper fixed to the drawing board
and with a sharp pencil and draw its outline.

 Remove the glass block and draw a normal NN’ to the longer edge of the
block (see in the fig)
 Draw a line making an angle of incidence (io) of 30o, stick two vertical
pins P1 and P2 on this line. Replace the glass block. Stick two more pins
P3 and P4 on the other side of the block so that they appear to be in the
same straight line with the images of pins P1 and P2 as seen through the
block.
 Remove the block and draw the complete path of the ray entering and
leaving the block. Measure the angle of refraction (ro).
 Produce the incident ray as shown above and measure the perpendicular
distance (d) between the incident ray and the emergent ray.
 Repeat the procedure for angles of incidence of 40o, 50o, 60o and 70o. In
each case draw the block again on a fresh part of the paper.
a) Record your results in a table as follows:-
io ro d(cm) dcos ro (cm) sin (io – ro)
30
40
50
60
b) Plot a graph of dCos ro (vertical axis) against Sin (io – ro) (horizontal
axis)
c) Find the gradient of the graph.
d) Measure the width of the glass block.
e) How is the gradient related to the width of the glass block?
NB: Hand in your diagrams together with your answer sheets.

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 Chapter 10 Light in Prisms

Laboratory Work 78
The aim of this experiment is to determine the relative refractive index for
light passing from air to glass.
 Proceed as follows:-
(a) Place the triangular glass prism on the drawing paper fixed on the
board. Using a sharp pencil trace the outline of the prism around the
middle of the page note the edges as ABC.
(b) Draw a line making an angle of incidence (i) of 30 and erect two pins
on this line at suitable distance apart
(c) Replace the prism and erect two more pins at position which appear to
be in straight line with the other two pins as seen through the prism,
(d) Remove the prism and draw the complete path of the ray. Draw and
measure the angle of emergence, e.

(e) Repeat this procedure for angle of incidence of 40, 50, 60 and 70
and in each make your drawing on a fresh part of the drawing paper.
Each time ensure that the incidence is always through side AB.
(f) Record the refracting angle of the prism A which is given by angle
BAC by using one of your traces.
(i) Plot a graph of the emergence angle e (vertical axis) against
the incidence angle i. Use the same scale on both axes and
include the origin (0, 0) in your graph.
(ii) Draw a straight line making an angle of 45 with ei axes, and
produce it to intersect your e against i graph.
(iii) Read and record the coordinates of the point of intersection
a, b 
(iv) Calculate the relative refractive index  given that
 A  Dm 
Sin 
   2 
 A
Sin 
 2 
(g) Where A is the refracting angle of the prism and Dm = a  b  A
where a, b are the coordinates of the points of intersection obtained in
part d) ii
(h) State any sources of errors and precautions taken in this experiment.

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Laboratory Work 79
The diagram on fig below shows the passage of a ray of light through a glass
prism.

Procedures
Place the given glass prism on a sheet of paper and trace its outline ABC.
Remove the prism. Construct a normal on side AB and measure the angle of
incidence, i of 300.
Push the two pins P1 and P2 into the paper along the line drawn making the
prescribed angle of 300 as shown in fig above and thereafter replace the
prism. Construct the emergent ray on side AC by pushing two more pins P3
and P4 into the paper so that they appear to be in line with the images of pins
P1 and P2 when viewed through the prism. Again remove the prism. Join the
pins marked P3 and P4 so that line representing emergent ray is seen.
Extend the incident ray and emergent ray so that they meet as seen. Measure
the angle of deviation d made and also measure angle e.
Repeat this procedure for i = 400, 500, 500and 600. Note that a separate
diagram should be drawn for each value of i
(a) Tabulate the values of i, e, d and (d-e)
(b) Plot a graph of d against i. from your graph, read and record D, the
minimum value of d.
(c) Plot a graph of (d- e) against i.
(d) From your graph read and record the intercept, I, on the i-axis

(e) Find the value of sin 2 I  D 

1

1
sin I
2

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 Chapter 10 Light in Prisms

Laboratory Work 80
In this experiment you will determine the refractive index, n, of glass.

Proceed as follows;
Fix a white sheet of paper provided on a soft board.

Place the triangular glass prism on the drawing paper fixed on the board.
Using a sharp pencil trace its outline. Remove the prim,

(a) Draw a line AB such that io = 300 and replace the prism. Sick two pins
P1 and P2 along AB and by using two other pins P3 and P4, trace the
path of light through the prism. Remove the prism. Measure and
record the angle of emergenceα and the angle of deviation, d.
(b) Repeat the procedures (a) for values of i = 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600
and 650.
(c) Plot a graph of (d - α ) against i. read the intercept β on the i-axis
(d) Plot another graph of α against
(i) Using the same axes, draw the line α = i.
Find the values of α0 and i0 of α and I respectively at the point of
intersection of the two graphs
(e) Calculate Do from Do = (α0 + i0 - β)
   1 1  1
(f) Evaluate n from sin    sin  Do   
 2   2 2  n

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Laboratory Work 81
The aim of this experiment is to find the value of the refractive index, n

Proceed as follows;

Place the prism on the paper and trace its outline with a sharp pencil. Remove the
prism and draw a normal at a point I on AB and an incident ray making an angle i =
300 with a normal as shown in the fig above. Return the prism and insert pins P1 and
P2 to define this incident ray. View the pins through the prism from the opposite face
AC and insert pins P3 and P4 so that they appear in line with the images of pins P1
and P2. Remove the prism. Join P4P3 to give the emergent ray. Produce both the
incident and emergent rays to intersect and enclose the angle of deviation, D. Draw
the normal at E. Measure angle of incidence i, the angle of deviation D, and the
angle of emergence, e.

Repeat the experiment for angles of incidence 400, 500, 600, and 700 using different
page of the paper in each case.
(a) Tabulate your results as follows

i 300 400 500 600 700

(D - e)

(b) Complete the table by Calculating the values of (D - e).

(c) Plot a graph of (D - e) on the y- axis against i on the x- axis
(d) Read from the graph the i - axis intercept and call it im
 37.5  im 
sin  
 2
(e) Calculate the value of n given that n 
i 
sin  m 
2

95
 Chapter 11 Light in Fluids

Chapter 11
Light in Fluids
Laboratory Work 82
You are provided with a beaker, retort stand with clamps, two optical pins,
liquid (water), and small sheet of white paper, plasticine, a rectangular block
of wood and a transparent 30cm ruler.
(a) Put an optical pin O with a very small bob of plasticine to the bottom of a
clear beaker and stand the beaker on a sheet of white paper as shown in
the figure below
(b) Remove ink marks and repeat for the depth of liquid of 9cm, 6cm and
4cm

(c) Pour in a liquid carefully about 11cm depth and view the optical pin O
through this liquid. Adjust the position of the lamped search pin S so as to
eliminate parallax between its point and that of the image I of O
(d) Make ink mark on the beaker corresponding to the position of the surface
and the position of image I
(e) Taking care not to remove the ink marks, measure the real depth OL and
the apparent depth IL
(f) Tabulate your results
(g) Plot a graph of OL against IL
(h) Using a graph, find the real depth when the apparent depth is 3cm
(i) What does the slope of the graph indicate?
(j) Find the reciprocal of the slope.
(k) Comment on the answer obtained in 2(j)
(l) Identify three possible source of error in this experiment
(m) State ways to minimize the errors into (2n)
(n) Identify the principle government this experiment

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Chapter 12
Electricity
Laboratory Work 83
In this experiment you are required to verify Ohm’s law.
You are provided with
 Some wires, a voltmeter V, an ammeter A, a resistor, a switch, a
rheostat, Rh
 Connect the circuit as shown in the diagram below

(a) Adjust the rheostat until the voltmeter “V” reads 0.9V. Take the
ammeter reading.
(b) Repeat the procedure (a) to set the voltmeter read 0.8V, 0.7V, 0.6V,
0.5V and 0.4V. In each case take the reading of the ammeter.
(i) Tabulate your results
(ii) Plot a graph of V against I
(iii) Determine the slope of the graph
(iv) What does the graph’s slope indicate?
(v) State the relationship between V and I
(vi) State the law that relates V and I

97
 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 84
The aim of this experiment is to determine the residence of a wire W.
Proceed as follows.
(a) Comment in series the full length of wire W of unknown resistance.
Battery B (3 V) a switch K, a rheostat Rh of a few ohms and an ammeter
A of 0 - 1 A Connect the voltmeter V of 0 - 3 V across wire W. Check
that the +ve side of the ammeter A and the +ve side of the voltmeter V are
both on the +ve side of the battery B.
(b) Switch on the current. Adjust the rheostat to obtain five widely different
values of V and corresponding values of current I.
(c) Tabulate your results as follows:

Potential difference, V (V) Current, I (A)

(d) (i) Draw a circuit diagram

(ii) Plot a graph of potential difference V against current I
(iii) Find the slope of the graph
(iv) Determine the resistance of the wire W.

Laboratory Work 85
You are provided a switch K, a dry cell E, an ammeter A, a rheostat Rh, a
resistor labelled X which must be connected serially. Connect the voltmeter
V, across the resistor X. Do whatever necessary to collect five pair of
readings on the ammeter and voltmeter.

Questions
(a) Draw the circuit diagram of your settings
(b) Tabulate your results
(c) Plot the graph of p.d against I
(d) Explain the shape of the graph
(e) Find the slope of the graph
(f) What does the slope indicate of your graph?
(g) Mention two possible sources of errors in this experiment and their
precautions.
(h) State ohm’s law

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 86
In an experiment to verify ohm's law the circuit drawn below was used

Proceed as follows:-
(i) Connect in series the resistor R of unknown resistance, battery E (3V), a
switch K, a rheostat Rh of a few ohms and an ammeter A of 0 – 1A
(ii) Connect the voltmeter V of the 0 – 3V across R.
(iii) Check that the positive (+ve) terminal of the ammeter A and the positive
(+ve) terminal of the voltmeter V are both on the positive (+ve) terminal
of battery E.
(iv) Adjust the rheostat until the value of the resistance is maximum.
(v) Switch on the current. Record the ammeter reading I (Amps) and
voltmeter reading V (Volts) in a tabular form
(vi) Adjust the rheostat to obtain five widely different values of V and
corresponding values of current I

(a) Tabulate your results of

P.d (v)

Current, I (A)

(b) Plot the graph of p.d against I

(c) Explain the shape of the graph
(d) Find the slope of the graph
(e) What does the slope indicate of your graph?
(f) Mention two possible sources of errors in this experiment and their
precautions.
(g) State ohm’s law

99
 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 87
The figure bellow shows a meter-bridge with two resistors X and R
connected for comparison purposes. X has an unknown resistance while R
has a known resistance.

You are provided with 2 dry cells D, unknown resistor X, a known

resistor R, a switch K, Galvanometer G and a Jockey J. A balance
point C is found for the different values of resistance of R. The value
of d = AC is recorded.
(a) Using a resistance of R = 1ῼ, find the balancing point along AB
and call it C.
(b) Repeat the procedure in a) above for the values of R = 2, 4, 6 and
8ῼ.
(c) Tabulate your observation as shown below.

R (ῼ) 1 2 4 6 8

d (cm)

(i) Complete the table above

(ii) Plot a graph of R against (horizontal axis)

(iii)Find the slop S of the graph
(iv) Determine the intercept R0 on the R-axis
(v) Deduce the value of X
(vi) Suggest a suitable title for this experiment.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 88
The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistance of X by meter
bridge method. Set up the experiment as shown

Connect the unknown resistance X in a gap and 5  resistances in a gap of R

as shown above. A cell D is connected across AB. Connect a zero center
galvanometer G and jockey J as shown in the diagram above. Find the
balance point along AB where no current flows through G when jockey is in
contact with AB at P.
Record the length L1 andL2. Interchange the position of X and R and record
L1and L2
(a) Table of results

X at CD (  ) X at FH (  )

L1(cm)

L2(cm)
(b) Show expression to find X
(c) Calculate the resistance of X at CD
(d) Calculate the resistance of X at FH
(e) What is the importance of interchanging positions of X and R?
(f) Find the resistance X

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Laboratory Work 89
The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistance of T by meter bridge
method. Set up the experiment as shown

Connect the unknown resistance T in a right hand side gap and a resistance
box R in a gap of the left hand side as shown above. A cell Z is connected
across the circuit. Connect zero center galvanometer G between C and jockey
J. Find the balance point along AB where no current flows through G when
jockey is in contact with AB at P.
With R = 1  , obtain a balance point on the metre bridge wire AB using a
jockey J. Note the length L in centimeters. Repeat the experiment with R
equal to 2  , 3  , 4  , and 5  .
(a) A table of result
R ( ) 1 2 3 4 5

L (cm)

(b) Plot the graph of against

(c) Write an expression to show how the graphs axis are related
(d) From the expression above, and using the graph how can the
resistance T be obtained?
(e) Mention two sources of error

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental

data will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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Laboratory Work 90
You are required to determine the unknown resistance labeled X using a meter
bridge circuit.
Procedures
 Connect your circuit as shown below, where R is a resistance box is a
galvanometer, J is a jockey and other are common circuit components.

 With R = 1  , obtain a balance point on the metre bridge wire AB using a

jockey J. Note the length L in centimeters. Repeat the experiment with R
equal to 2  , 4  , 7  , and 10 

(a) (i) Tabulate your results for R, L and

(ii) Plot a graph of R (vertical axis) against ( horizontal axis)

(iii) Determine the slope S of your graph
(iv) Using your graph, find the value of R for which
(b) Read and record the intercept Ro on the vertical axis.

(c) Given that use the equation and your graph to determine the
value of X
(d) Comment on your results in (a) (iii), (b) and (c) above

Laboratory Work 91
The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistivity of a wire given.
Proceed as follows
(a) Connect the cell, ammeter, tapping key, Rheostat and one metre resistance
wire for which the resistance and resistivity is to be determined.
(b) Switch on the current and adjust the rheostat to obtain suitable readings on
the Ammeter and voltmeter and take the readings.
(c) Apply Ohm`s law to calculate the resistance of the one metre resistance
wire.
(d) Take the micrometer screw gauge provided to determine the diameter of the
wire at three different positions and find the average of the diameters
(e) Then determine the resistivity of the resistance wire.

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Laboratory Work 92
You are provided with the apparatus.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Set up the circuit as shown in fig below

(b) Obtain a balance point when the length of the wire W, L= 15cm record the
distance X between A and P.
(c) Repeat the procedure for L= 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, 40cm and 50cm
respectively.
1 1
(d) Tabulate the values of L, X, and
L X
1 1
(e) (i) Plot a graph of against
L X
(ii) Determine the slope S of your graph
(iii) From the graph obtain the values of X for L = 80cm
(iv) Find the slope S of the graph
(a) Determine the intercept Ro on the R- axis
(b) Deduce the value of X
(c) Suggest the suitable title for this experiment.

Laboratory Work 93
Connect the following items in series; the accumulator (or dry cell), the plug (or
tapping key), the resistor labeled P, and another resistor R = 1.0  . Use the
voltmeter to measure the voltage V across the resistor R and hence calculate the
current I flowing through resistor R. Record the values of R, V and I. Now repeat the
procedure for values of R = 1.0  , 1.5  , 2.0  , and 3.5 
(a) Tabulate all the values of R, I and V.
(b) Plot a graph of V(vertical axis) against I (horizontal axis)
(c) Find the gradient D of the graph
(d) Where K is constant, determine the resistance r of the resistor P given that:-
V  k  rI

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Laboratory Work 94
Determine the resistivity of the material of wire W by using Metre Bridge.

Procedure
Connect the given apparatus as shown in the fig above. The ends of the wire W
should be connected at the right hand gap of your metre bridge.
(a) Find the balance point (the point where there is no deflection in the
Galvanometer G) of the metre bridge circuit with the jockey J when the
value of the known resistance P is 1.0 Ohm. Read and record the lengths L1
and L2 as indicated in the diagram.
(b) Repeat the process in (a) above by replacing the known resistance P with
values indicated in the table below and always reading and recording their
corresponding values of L1 and L2
P(Ω) L1(cm) L2(cm)

1
3
5
8
10
15
(c) Complete the table of values.
(d) Measure the length L of the wire W given and the diameter D of that wire by
using the micrometer screw gauge.
L1
(e) Plot a graph of P (vertical axis) against (horizontal axis)
L2
(f) Determine the slope S of your graph.
(g) Given that 4α= πD2S where α is the resistivity of the wire W, calculate the
resistivity of the material of the wire W

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Laboratory Work 95
You are required to determine the value of unknown resistance of a resistor
labeled Rx.
Proceed as follows.
(a) Connect the given dry cell, ammeter switch and 1Ω resistor in series
(b) Close the switch and record the Reading I of the ammeter.
(c) Repeat part (a) and (b) above for values of resistor 3Ω, 5Ω, 7Ω, 9Ω,
and Rx respectively.
1
(d) Record your results in include the value of
I
1
(e) (i) Plot the graph against R.
I
(ii) From the graph determine the value of Rx.
(iii) Calculate the slope of the graph.
(iv) Deduce the e.m.f. and internal resistance of the cell, r.

Laboratory Work 96
The aim of this experiment is to determine the internal resistance of r and the
emf E of the dry cell D.
(a) You are provided with a dry cell, an ammeter, voltmeter, key, and
resistance box.
(b) Connect the apparatus so that you can get reading of ammeter and
corresponding reading of voltmeter which as to be connected parallel
to the dry cell labelled D
(c) Set the resistance box to be 1Ω, read and record the ammeter and
voltmeter readings
(d) Repeat the procedure for resistors of five different values between 2Ω
and 10Ω inclusive.
(e) Draw a circuit diagram of arrangement used
(f) Draw a graph V on y- axis against I on x- axis.
(g) Write down the equation represented by the graph in terms of E, r, V
and I
(h) From your graph find
(i) The values of electromotive force, E
(ii) The internal resistance, r
(iii)The maximum current the cell can deliver to the circuit.

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Laboratory Work 97
The aim of this experiment is to determine the e.m.f E and internal resistance r of the
cell. Given 2 dry cells, a number of standard resistors, an ammeter, a switch and
connecting wires.

(a) A connect the circuit as shown in fig above. Put R = 1.0Ω and quick read the
value of the ammeter.
(b) Repeat the procedure in (a) above for values of R = 2Ω, 4Ω, 6 Ω and 8Ω.
(c) Tabulate the results as shown below in the table below

Resistance R (Ω) Current I (A)

 
1 1
I
A

1
(d) Plot a graph of R against
I
E
(e) From the equation R   r
I
(i) Suggest how E and r may be evaluated from your graph
(ii) Evaluate E for one cell
(iii) Evaluate r for one cell
(f) State the sources of errors in this experiment suggest ways to reduce them.

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 98
The aim of this experiment is to get the value of the unknown resistance X
Procedures
(a) Connect the metre-bridge as shown below with two resistors X and 5
connected on the right hand side gap of the metre bridge while the left
hand side gap connected to a resistance box labelled R.

(b) Connect the two (2) dry cells size D labelled E, Galvanometer G and a Jockey J
as in the diagram above.
(c) Obtain the balance point C when a galvanometer shows no deflection for the
value of resistor R = 1.
(d) Record the length, L1 = AC
(e) Repeat the procedures (a) above for the values of R = 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Questions:-
(i) Write your results in a tabular form as shown below
R ( ) 1 2 3 4 5
L1 (cm)

(ii) Plot a graph of R() against (horizontal axis)

a) Find the slope S of the graph
b) Determine the intercept R0 on the R-axis when =0
c) Deduce the value of X
(iii) Plot a graph of R() against (horizontal axis)
a) Deduce the slope, G of the graph.
b) What does the slope G, above signify?
c) Find the values of unknown resistance X. show clearly how
you arrived to your answer.
(iv) Give your comments on the differences existing between the two
plotted graphs.

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Laboratory Work 99
An experiment to determine an e.m.f (E) and internal resistance (r) of a
cell,
You are provided with a cell, a switch (K), a voltmeter (V) an ammeter
(A) and a rheostat (R).
Connect the switch; rheostat, ammeter and a dry cell in series then
connect a voltmeter parallel to the dry cell as shown in this diagram
below

With the key open, record the reading of the voltmeter, close the key
and adjust the rheostat so that the cell supplies a small current through
the circuit. Record this current I (A) as registered by the ammeter A,
and the new reading V (volts) on the voltmeter. Keep the key closed
and adjust the rheostat so that a slightly larger current flows through
the circuit. Again record the values of I (A) and V (volts)
Repeat the procedure the procedures above to obtain a set of five pairs
of readings of I and V, each time slightly adjusting the rheostat to
increase the current I.
i. Tabulate your observations as follows
Ammeter reading (A) Voltmeter reading (V)

ii. Plot a graph of V (vertical axis) against I (horizontal axis)

iii. Find the slope of your graph
iv. Assuming that where r is the internal resistance
of the cell and E its E.m.f, use your graph to determine r
and E.

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 100

An experiment to determine an e.m.f (E) and internal resistance (r) of
a cell, you are provided with a cell, a switch (K), an ammeter (A) and
a resistance box (R).
(a) Connect the apparatus given in series as shown in this
diagram; below

Use a resistance R = 2 in the resistance box close the switch K and

record the reading of current I indicated by the ammeter A.
(b) Repeat the procedure in (b) above for the values of R = 4, 6, 8
and 10
(c) Tabulate your observations as follows

R() I(A) 1
(A-1)
I
2
4
6
8
10
1
(d) i) Plot a graph of against R
I
1
ii) Obtain the slope, S and intercept C
I
1
iii) Evaluate the values of E and r given that E = and
S
r
C
E

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Laboratory Work 101

The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistance of a voltmeter Rv
and internal resistance r of a battery. Proceed as follows;
(a) Connect the battery, switch, voltmeter, and 400Ω resistor in series and
complete the circuit.
(b) Draw the circuit diagram you have connected.
(c) Close the switch and obtain the voltmeter reading V
(d) Increase the value of resistance to 1000Ω and repeat part (c) above
(e) Repeat step (d) for higher values of the resistance, increasing it in
steps of 600Ω up to a maximum of 4000Ω
(f) Tabulate your results of resistance R voltmeter reading V and 1/V
(g) Plot a graph of R against 1/V
(h) Use your graph to determine
(i) The resistance Rv of the voltmeter
(ii) The internal resistance r of the battery

Laboratory Work 102

The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistance of a wire P.
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Connect in series the length of wire P equals to 50cm of unknown
resistance, battery B (3V), a switch K, a rheostat R of a few ohms and an
ammeter A of 0 – 1A connect the voltmeter V of the 0 – 3V across P.
check that the +ve side of the ammeter A and the +ve side of the
voltmeter V are both on the +ve side of battery B.
(b) Switch on the current. Adjust the rheostat to obtain five widely different
values of V and corresponding values of current I
(c) Draw a circuit diagram
(d) Tabulate your results as follows:-

Potential difference V(Volts) Current I (amperes)

(e) Plot a graph of potential difference V against current I

(f) Find the slope of the graph
(g) Determine the resistance of the wire P.
(h) Mention two (2) precautions to be taken in this experiment

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 103

The aim of this experiment is to determine the value of unknown resistance
labelled X.
Proceed as follows;

You are provided with two dry cells E each 1.5V, a voltmeter V, a resistance
box, an unknown resistor X and a plug key K.

Connect the circuit as shown in the fig below;

(a) Connect the voltmeter across R when R = 1  , measure and record

the potential difference V across R. calculate the corresponding value
of the current I that flows through R.
(b) Repeat the procedure for values of R = 2  , 3  , 4  and 5  each
time recording the value of V and I. tabulate all the values of R, V and
I for the experiment
(c) Plot a graph of V against I
(d) Find the slope S of the graph.
(e) Determine the value of X and the e.m.f, E used, given that V = E –Ir
and r = X.
(f) Mention two sources of errors of this experiment

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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Laboratory Work 104

The aim of this experiment is to determine the e.m.f of the dry cell, E and its internal
resistance, r
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Stretch and fix the bare wire onto a metre rule with a cellotape (or use a
potential meter)
(b) Connect the 2, a voltmeter and a dry cell as shown bellow

(c) Place the jockey on the bare wire such that L = 20cm, record the
voltmeter reading V
(d) Repeat procedure c) above for the value of L = 30cm, 40cm, 50cm and
60cm respectively.

(e) Record the values of L, V and in a tabular form

(f) Plot a graph of against L

(g) Find the slope S of the graph

(h) Find n which is the value of when L = 0

(i) Calculate the e.m.f of the dry cell E, from ES = 0.015cm-1
(j) Using the relationship r = 2 x n x (E-1), calculate the internal
resistance r of the dry cell.
(k) State three source of errors and three precautions to be taken in this
experiment

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

113
 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 105

The aim of this experiment is to determine the e.m.f E and internal resistance
r of a cell.
PROCEDURES:-
(a) Connect the apparatus as shown in the figure below

(b) Adjust R = 1 and quickly read the value the current I on the
ammeter A.
(c) Repeat the procedure in 1(b) for R = 2 , 3 , 4 and 5
(d) Tabulate your results include the value of I-1
1
(e) Plot the graph of R against
I
(f) From your graph determine the value of E and r, given that
E =I(R + r)
(g) State three possible source of errors and their remedy
encountered in this experiment.

Laboratory Work 106

The aim of this experiment is to determine the e.m.f E and the value unknown
resistor marked X. Assume the internal resistance of your cell is functionless.
Procedures
 Connect in series a cell given, switch, an ammeter, a resistance box
and X.
 Adjust a resistance box (R) into 1Ω and quickly read the value of the
current I on the ammeter.
 Repeat the procedure in b) above for the box (R) adjusted to 2Ω, 3Ω,
4Ω and 5Ω.
1
(a) Tabulate your results include the value of
I
1
(b) Plot the graph of R against
I
(c) From your graph determine the value of E and X.

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Laboratory Work 107

The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistivity of the wire given
(a) Set up the circuit as shown in fig above where B consists of two
accumulators connected in series and C is a piece of bare resistance
wire. With the switch , K, open adjust the length L of the wire C to a
value 100cm. close K, and adjust the rheostat to give a current of
about 1amp. Record the ammeter and voltmeter readings.
(b) Open K and reduce L by 10cm. close K and adjust the rheostat to
reduce the current by 0.1amp. . Record the ammeter and voltmeter
readings. Repeat the above procedure for five other values of L.

(a) Tabulate your results and use them to plot a graph of resistance of the
wire against L.
(b) Determine the gradient G of your graph
(c) Wind the resistance wire C closely on your pencil so as to obtain not
less than 20 turns of the wire. Measure the length of the coil and hence
determine the diameter d of the wire.
(d) Calculate the resistivity α ,of the resistance wire C, given that
Gd 2

4
(e) Where G is the gradient of your graph and d is the diameter of the
resistance wire.

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 108

The aim of this experiment is to determine the e.m.f E and internal resistance
r of a cell.
PROCEDURES:-
(a) Connect the apparatus as shown in the figure below

(b) Adjust R = 1 and quickly read the value the current I on the ammeter A.
(c) Repeat the procedure in 1(b) for R = 2 , 3 , 4 and 5
(d) Tabulate your results include the value of I-1
1
(e) Plot the graph of R against
I
(f) From your graph determine the value of E and r, given that E =I(R + r)
(g) State three possible source of errors and their remedy encountered in this
experiment.

Laboratory Work 109

The aim of this experiment is to determine the potential fall along a uniform
resistance wire carrying a steady current
Proceed as follows;

(a) Connect up the circuit as shown in the fig above. Adjust the rheostat
so that when the sliding contact J is near B and the key is closed the
voltmeter V indicates an almost full scale deflection. Do not alter the
rheostat again.
(b) Close key K and make contact with J so that AJ = 10cm. record the
potential different V volts between A and J as registered on the
voltmeter
(c) Repeat this procedure for AJ = 20cm, 30cm, 50cm and 70cm.
(i) Tabulate your results for values of AJ and v
(ii) Plot a graph of V(vertical axis) against AJ (horizontal axis)
(iii)Calculate the slope of the graph
(iv) What is your comment on the slope?
(v) State any precautions on the experiment

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Laboratory Work 110

You are provided with two dry cells of e.m.f, a key, K, an ammeter, A,
voltmeter, V, Rheostat, Rh, unknown resistor, R and a 4Ω resistor.
Proceed as follows
(a) Connect your apparatus as shown in the circuit diagram below.

K E Rh

A
4Ω

(b) Close the key and adjust the rheostat so that the ammeter reading is
0.1 A, record the voltmeter reading V in volts
(c) Repeat the procedures in (b) for the values of the ammeter readings of
0.3 A, 0.5 A, 0.7 A and 0.9 A.
Questions
1 1
(i) Tabulate your results including the values of and
1 V
1 1
(ii) Plot a graph of and
1 V
(iii)Find the slope of the graph
(iv) Determine the value of the unknown resistance R
(v) What is the effect of connecting resistor, R as shown above?
(vi) What is the value of a single resistor that can be connected in the
circuit above, to substitute the two resistors, R and 4Ω
(vii)State any two possible sources of error and their precautions

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 111

The aim of this experiment is to find the e.m.f of a cell B. you are provided
with an accumulator A of approximately 2V to act as your driver.
Proceed as follows
(d) Connect your apparatus as shown in the diagram below. Complete the
circuit by connecting points R at 40cm and adjust the length PQ for no
deflection. Measure X, the length PQ.
(e) Repeat the experiment to give five more readings with Y, length of PR
being 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, 70cm, 80cm and 90cm.

(i) Record your readings in form of a table with column labeled X and Y
(ii) Plot a graph of Y against X
(iii)Find the slope M of the graph
(iv) Find the e.m.f of B from the expression below, where M is the slope
emfA
emfB 
M

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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Laboratory Work 112

The aim of this experiment is to determine the potential fall along a
uniform resistance wire carrying a steady current
Proceed as follows
(a) Connect the circuit as shown in the figure above. Adjust the rheostat,
Rh, so that when the sliding contact J is near B, and the key, K is
closed the voltmeter, V, indicates almost a full scale deflection. Do
not alter the rheostat again.

(b) Close the key, K and make contact with J so that AJ = 10cm.
(c) Record the potential difference, V (volts) between A and J as
registered on the voltmeter.
(d) Repeat the procedures above for the values of AJ = 30cm, 50cm and
70cm
(i) Tabulate your results for the values of AJ and their corresponding
V(volts)
(ii) Plot a graph of V (vertical axis) against AJ (horizontal axis)
(iii) Calculate the slope of the graph.
(iv) What is your comment on the slope
(v) State any precautions to be taken during this experiment

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the

experimental data will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted,
then all the basic requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes,
best line/curve, slope indication and transfer of points will be
considered.

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Laboratory Work 113

You are provided with the apparatus which must be connected as shown in the
circuit below.

Procedures
(a) Obtain the length of the wire W, L = 15cm. Record the distance X,
the length between A and P
(b) Repeat the procedure above for L = 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, 40cm and
50cm and record the values of their corresponding.
(c) Tabulate the values of L, X, and

(d) (i) Plot a graph of against

(ii) Determine the slope, S, of your graph
(iii) From your graph, obtain the value of X for L = 80cm

Laboratory Work 114

The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistance of a wire W.
Proceed as follows:
(a) Connect in series the full length of wire W of unknown resistance,
battery B (3V), a switch K, a rheostat Rh of a few ohms and an
ammeter A of 0-1A. Connect the voltmeter V of 0-3V across W.
Check that the +ve side of the ammeter A and the +ve side of the
voltmeter V are both on the +ve side of the battery B.
(b) Switch on the current. Adjust the rheostat to obtain five widely
different values of V and corresponding values of current I and
tabulate your results as follows:
P.d, V (Volts)
Current, I (A)
(c) (i) Draw a circuit diagram.
(ii) Plot a graph of potential difference V against current I
(iii)Find the slope of the graph.
(iv) Determine the resistance of the wire W.
(v) Mention two (2) main precautions to be taken in this experiment.

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Laboratory Work 115

Determine the resistivity β of the wire labelled W and the internal resistance
of battery provided.
Proceed as follows;
(a) Connect the circuit as shown in the fig above. With the plug key open
adjust the length of the wire W to a value of 20cm. note the ammeter
reading
NB; the plug key should remain open throughout the experiment
(b) Repeat the procedure above for Lw = 40cm, 60cm, 80cm, and 100cm
each time record the ammeter reading.

(a) Tabulate the results as shown in the table below

Length Lw
(cm)

Current I (A)

I
 
1 1
A

(b) (i) Plot a graph of 1/I (vertical axis) against Lw (horizontal axis)
(ii) Determine the slope G.
(iii) Determine the intercept Y on the vertical axis
(a) Measure and record the diameter at four different places on the wire. Hence
find the mean value of diameter d.
(b) Given that
4 Rr
G Y Where E is e.m.f of the battery and
d E and
2
E
R = 2Ω
Find the
(i) Resistivity β of the wire
(ii) Internal resistance r of the battery

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Laboratory Work 116

You are required to find
i) The resistance of a wire P
ii) The resistivity of the material making wire P.

PROCEDURE
(a) Connect battery, rheostat Rh, key S, wire P and ammeter A in
series, while voltmeter V across P which is the given wire of
length 50cm. By varying and adjusting the rheostat, obtain FIVE
systematic pairs of readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
(b) Draw the circuit diagram for your connection
(c) Tabulate your results as shown below

V (volts)

I (A)

(i) Plot a graph of V against I

(ii) Solve for the slope R of your graph
(iii)Measure thickness of the wire.
(iv) Use your slope R to evaluate the resistivity of the wire P.
(v) Find resistivity of the material from

RA
=
L
Where A = area
R= resistance

L = length

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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Laboratory Work 117

The aim of this experiment is to determine the potential fall along a
uniform resistance wire carrying a steady current.
Proceed as follows:-
a) Connect up the circuit as shown in the figure above adjust the
rheostat so that when the sliding contact J is near Z, and the key is
closed the voltmeter V indicates an almost full scale deflection.
Do not alter the rheostat again.
b) Close the key K and make contact with a jockey at J, so that YJ =
10cm. Record the Potential difference V (Volts) between Y and J
as registered on the voltmeter.

c) Repeat this procedure for YJ = 20cm, 30cm, 50cm and 70cm.

i) Tabulate your results for the values of YJ and V
ii) Plot a graph of V(vertical axis) against YJ( horizontal axis)
iii) Calculate the slope of the graph.
iv) What is your comment on the slope
v) State any two (2) sources of errors and their precautions to be
taken.

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 118

The aim of this experiment is to determine the internal resistance, r, of the
cell provided.

(a) Connect the circuit as shown above

(b) Adjust the distance L to 20cm
(c) Close the switch K
(d) Read and record the reading of the voltmeter V
(e) Repeat the procedures (b) to (d) for L = 30cm, 40cm, 50cm and
60cm.
1 1
(f) Tabulate your results including the values of and
V L
1 1
(g) Plot a graph of against
V L
(h) Find the slope, S, of the graph
1
(i) Read the intercept of axis
V
1
(j) Calculate the value of the reciprocal of intercept
V
1
(k) What does the value of the reciprocal physically represent?
V
(l) Calculate the internal resistance, r, of the cell from the relation
r = 0.0795(VΩ/cm) x slope S

(m) List down two possible sources of error and two precautions to be
taken into account.

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Laboratory Work 119

You are provided with a dry cell, E, a resistance box, R, a voltmeter, V, a switch,
K and connecting wires

Proceed as follows
(a) Set up the electric circuit as shown below

(b) Set a resistance box R in a such a way its value = 1, close the switch
and record the voltmeter reading V
(c) Repeat the procedure in (b) above for the values of R equal to 2, 3,
and 7
(a) Record your readings in a tabular form as indicated below
R () 1 2 3 7
V (Volts)

(b) Plot a graph of against

(c) From the graph in (e) above, determine
(i) Find the slope, of your graph

(ii) Read and record intercept

(d) Write the equation that connects and

(e) Use the equation in (g) above and values obtained to determine
electromotive force and internal resistance of the dry cell.
(f) State any two sources of error in this experiment and their precautions.

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 120

The aim of this experiment is to determine the resistivity of the wire W given, , and
the internal resistance, r, of the two dry cells provided.
Proceed as follows:-
(a) Stretch and fix the bare wire onto a metre rule with a cellotape (or use a
potential meter)
(b) Connect the 2, an ammeter, two dry cells B and a wire W dry as shown bellow

(c) Place the jockey on the bare wire such that L = 20cm, record the ammeter
readings A
(d) Repeat procedure (c) above for the value of L = 40cm, 60cm, 80cm and 100cm
each time record the corresponding current, I (A) respectively.
(i) Record your results in a tabular form as shown below
Length, L (cm) of the wire W Current, I (A) 1 1
 
I  A
20
40
60
80
100

(ii) Plot a graph of against L

(iii) Find the slope S of the graph and it’s -intercept

(iv) Using a micrometer screw gauge, measure and record the diameter d of
the wire W
(v) Calculate the
(a) The resistivity 
(b) Internal resistance, r, of the dry cells given that,
4
s and
d 2 E
1 Rr
 int ercept 
I E
Where E is the e.m.f of the battery and R is the external
resistor of the circuit

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 121

You are provided with a dry cell, C, a resistance box, R, a voltmeter, V, a
switch, S and two terminal blocks A1 and A2 arranged as shown below

Procedures
(i) Using a resistance of R = 1 in the resistance box, close the switch and
record the V reading
(ii) Repeat the procedure above for the values of R = 2, 4, 5 and 10
(a) Record your readings in a tabular form as indicated below
R () V (Volts)

1
2
4
5
10
(b) Plot a graph of against
(c) From the graph
(i) Find the gradient, G, of your graph
(ii) Read and record N, which is the value of when the value of =

zero. Then calculate the value of

(iii)Read and record M, which is the value of when the value of =

zero. Then calculate the value of

(iv) Show how is related to G

(v) What is the magnitude of the current supplied by the dry cell C?

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 122

The aim of the experiment is to verify the Ohm`s law
Proceed as follows;

Connect up the circuit as shown in the diagram. Close the key K and make
contact with jockey J that length AJ = 10cm. record the potential difference V
between A and J.
Repeat this procedure for AJ = 20cm, 30cm… 90cm.
Note the current flowing through the circuit
Tabulate your results and plot a graph of V (vertical) against L (horizontal).
Calculate the slope S. using your graph, answer the following questions;
(a) (i) How could the actual resistance of any part of the wire be
calculated?
(ii) Calculate the value of R for 100cm for slide wire S.
(b) If the current remains constant to what do you attribute the differences
in the fall of potential difference in different lengths of the wire?
(c) What proportion can be established between the falls in different parts
of the circuit and the resistance of those parts of the circuit?
(d) With the resistance of the wire constant, how does the fall of potential
difference change with the change of current

When an experiment is done, the criteria for assessing the experimental data
will be considered. If graph/s is/are to be plotted, then all the basic
requirements of a graph, that is, title, scales, axes, best line/curve, slope
indication and transfer of points will be considered.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 123

You are required to determine the resistivity of the material of the wire
provided.
Proceed as follows
(a) Using a micrometer screw gauge determine the diameter of the given
wire and hence find its cross sectional area in m2. Connect the circuit
as shown in the figure below where C is the crocodile clip. Measure
the length of the wire L = 100 cm and clip it so that the current flows
across the wire. Record the voltmeter reading V.

(b) Repeat the procedure in (a) with crocodile clip at L = 80 cm, 60 cm,
40 cm and 20 cm. Record the corresponding voltmeter reading in each
case.

Questions
1 1
(i) Tabulate the values of L, V, and . The length L should be in
L V
metres
1 1
(ii) Plot a graph (V-1) against (m-1)
V L
(iii)Determine the slope S of the graph
1
(iv) Find the value of V for which = 0 and state its physical meaning
L
(v) Determine the value of resistivity of the wire given that,
1 A 1 1
 . 
V E L E

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 Chapter 12 Electricity

Laboratory Work 124

You are required to determine the e.m.f of the cell and the resistance of a
given piece of wire.
Proceed as follows
(c) Connect the circuit as shown in the figure below in which E is the
battery, k is a key, L is the crocodile clip. Measure the length of
the wire L = 100 cm and clip it so that the current the length of the
given wire, R is the resistance box and A is the ammeter.

(d) With L = 12 cm and R set at 1Ω, record the ammeter reading I (A)
(e) Without altering the value of L, repeat the procedure in (b) with R =
2Ω, 3Ω, 4Ω and 5Ω. Record the corresponding values of the ammeter
reading in each case.

Questions
1
(vi) Tabulate the values of R, I, and .
I
1
(vii) Plot a graph (A-1) against R (Ω)
I
(viii) Determine the slope S of the graph
(ix) Find the value of I for which R= 0
(x) Determine the e.m.f and internal resistance of the wire L given
that, the internal resistance of the cell is 1 Ω. Show clearly how
you arrived to your answers.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

Laboratory Work 125

In this experiment you are required to determine internal resistance of the dry
cell.
(a) Connect in series the given dry cell of e.m.f, E a resistor R, ammeter
A and switch K
(b) Draw the circuit connected in (a)
(c) Measure and record the values of current I when resistor R is 1Ω
(d) Repeat the procedure in (c) for values of R = 2Ω, 3Ω, 4Ω and 5Ω
11
(e) Write your data in a tabular form including the values of  
L  A
11
(f) Plot a graph of R(Ω) against  
L  A
(g) Find the slope of the graph
(h) Using the graph determine the internal resistance of the cell

SOURCES OF ERRORS IN ELECTRICITY EXPERIMENT

In most experiments on electricity the errors may be due to;
(a) Loose connection on the connecting wire and knobs of the resistance box
(b) Heating effect of the wires when taking measurements slowly allowing the
current passage for a longer time which may alter the resistance value and
hence voltage drop.
(c) Non-uniformity of the wire (in case of experiment involving metre bridge)
(d) Errors in measurement of length which may include parallax and zero error
of the measuring devices like ammeter or
(e) Zero errors of measuring instrument like ammeter, voltmeter and
galvanometer
(f) Graphing error due to wrong calibrations on it, by being more or less than
the needed values
(g) Uses of blunt pencil in drawing graph
(h) Taking very close points when calculating slopes from graph

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
(a) Soldering all connections and tightly connect all the wires and components
(b) Do not let the current flows in a closed circuit for a long time. (Switch off
the current after every reading.)
(c) Do not scratch the jockey over the resistance wires
(d) Zero error of the metre rule should be well-thought-out in your measurement
(e) Calibrate the voltmeter, ammeter etc. so that the reading is adjusted to a zero
mark.
(f) Sharp pencil should be used in drawing graph
(g) Choose far point when calculating gradient
(h) Repetition in taking data and uses of average data should be done
(i) Avoid unnecessary estimation of data or truncation

131
 Chapter 13 Vibrations and Waves

Chapter 13
Vibrations and Waves
Laboratory Work 126
For determination of velocity of sound, v and the end correction, e.
Resonance tubes/burette with a tap, turning forks of different frequencies
(341 Hz, 384 Hz, 426Hz, 480 Hz and 512 Hz), a metre ruler, water, rubber
hummer, retort stand with its clamp, and 250 ml beaker.
Procedures
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure below

(b) Fill the burette with water to its brim.

(c) Hold a turning fork of a frequency, f = 312 Hz horizontally near the
burette at its upper end. Strike it with a rubber hummer.
(d) Open the tap to allow water to flow. Close the tap just when you hear the
loudest sound (resonance at its fundamental mode) and record the length l
(cm)
(e) Repeat procedure (b) and (c) for f = 384Hz, 426Hz, 480 Hz and 512Hz
1
tabulate your results including the column for f, and l
f
1
(f) Plot a graph of against l
f
(g) From the graph, determine
(i) The slope
1
(ii) - intercept
f
(h) Use the values calculated in (g) and the equation
x
f 
4(l  e)
to determine the velocity v of sound in air and the end correction e
(i) Mention two sources of errors and precautions taken in this experiment.

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 Physics Practical Book by Ben M

References
Abbott, A.F. (1997). Ordinary level Physics: Third edition Heinemann,
England
Akril, Bennet and Millar. (1989). Physics fifth edition. Edward Arnold:
Great Britain
Nelkon, M. (1981). Principles of physics, 8th edition: Longman
Edinburgh, England
Oxford (2014) . Physics for secondary schools form 1: First edition
Oxford University Press, DSM, Tanzania
SCSU and MOEVT (2010). Physics for secondary schools, Form 3
and 4: Oxford.
TIE and Bob Mc Duell (2010). Physics Form 1 and 2 Student’s book:
Person Education Ltd
TIE (1993). Physics for Secondary School Book 2: Educational publisher,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Whelanand Hodgson. (1989). Essential Principles of physics second
edition: University Press (T) Ltd. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

THE END OF FORM IV SAMPLE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

By Ben Omulangira Mutalemwa
[email protected]
0713 575 000
0752 575 000

133