Physics

Lab
Book
 First
Draft

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SBA TITLE EXPERIMENT SKILL PAGE

Exp NO
t.
No

1 Physical Measurements Finding volume of a Jamaican $20 coin O/R/R 2

and Units by two different methods /MM

2 Physical Measurements Finding the area of a leaf O/R/R A/I

and Units

3 Physical Measurements Finding the density an irregular object

and Units

4 Physical Measurements The effect of length on the period of a A/I

and Units pendulum

5 Physical Measurements The effect of mass of the weight on the PD

and Units period of a pendulum

6 MECHANICS Finding the centre of gravity of an MM

irregular object
7 MECHANICS Finding the weight of the meter rule

8 MECHANICS Verifying Hookes Law

9 Thermal Physics and Finding specific heat capacity of a metal

Kinetic energy

10 Thermal Physics and Finding specific heat capacity of PD

Kinetic energy concrete

11 Thermal Physics and Finding the latent heat of fusion of ice

Kinetic energy

12 Thermal Physics and Verifying Boyles law A/I

Kinetic energy

13 Thermal Physics and Verifying Charless law O/R/R

Kinetic energy

14 Waves and Light Investigating the relationship between M/M

incident light and reflection

15 Waves and Light Finding focal length of a convex lens M/M

16 Electricity and Investigating the relationship between change A/I/ O/R/R

Magnetism in the length of a wire and resistance

17 Electricity and Investigating the relationship between change PD

Magnetism in the thickness of a wire and resistance

18 Electricity and Investigating the voltage characteristic of a

Magnetism lamp

19 Physics of the atom Effect of distance (from the detector) on the

transmission of beta radiation

20 Physics of the atom Effect of shielding materials on the PD

transmission of beta radiation
EXPERIMENT #1
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: Finding volume of a Jamaican $20 coin by two different
methods
DATE:

Apparatus and Materials

Jamaican $20.00 coin (5)

Vernier Caliper

100 cm3 measuring cylinder

Pipe water

Procedure

VOLUME FROM CALCULATIONS USING THE VERNIER CALIPER

1. The caliper was checked to ensure that when it is closed the

readings at zero (0)
2. The diameter of the $20 coin was measured and recorded.
3. The thickness of the same coin was measured and recorded.
4. The formula for volume of a cylinder was used, (4r2h), where
h is the thickness
of the coin.
5. The volume of the $20 coin was calculated.
Results

Diameter of $20 22.5mm 2.25cm

coin
Thickness of $20 0.25cm 0.250cm
coin
Radius the $20 11.25mm 1.13cm
coin

TABLE SHOWING RESULTS FOR METHOD 1

Calculations for method 1

The volume of the Jamaican $20 coin is 1.34cm3

VOLUME FROM DISPLACEMENT USING THE 100ml MEASURING

CYLINDER

1. 50 ml of pipe water was accurately measured into the

measuring cylinder.
 The value was recorded in a suitable table

2. Five (5) $20 coins were added to the volume in the measuring
cylinder.

3. A new volume was recorded when all the coins were in the
measuring cylinder.

4. The net volume was determined and the volume divided by five
(5) to the

Average of one $20 coin.

Results

Volume

Volume of water 100ml

Volume of 5 coin 105ml
Net volume 5ml

TABLE SHOWING RESLUTS FOR METHOD 2

Calculations for method 2

Net volume = V2 - V1

= 105 100

Net volume = 5ml

Average volume of one coin

Net volume = 5 ml = 1 ml
5 5
Average volume = 1ml

Discussion
Both results were the same, this suggest that the experimenter
had carried out the experiment with no error .
Precautions /Possible sources of errors
Ensure Vernier caliper is set at 0
Ensure measuring cylinder is on a flat surface
Ensure to avoid paradox errors
Conclusion
This experiment has proven that the volume of the Jamaican $20
is 1.00cm3,using both the Vernier caliper method and the
measuring cylinder method.

EXPERIMENT #2

TITLE: MASUREMENTS
AIM: To find the area of a suitable leaf using a graph paper
DATE:

Apparatus and Materials

Graph paper

pencil
 suitable size leaf
Procedure

1. A suitable leaf was used, that covered two thirds of the

graph paper.
2. The leaf was positioned on the paper, held down firmly and
the edges were traced
around with a sharp pencil.

3. The graph paper was used to determine the size of the area
of the leaf

4. The largest square are 2cm 2cm =4 cm2 , the next

smaller squares are 1 cm

1cm2 and the smallest square is 2mm 2mm =0.04cm2

5. The largest squares were labelled A and were counted and

multiplied by 4

Cm2

6. The smaller squares were labelled B and were counted and

multiplied by

1cm2

7. The smallest squares were labelled C and were counted

and multiplied by

0.04m2

8. The areas were recorded and added up to get the total area
of the leaf
Calculations

No. of A squares = 22 4cm2 = 88 cm2

No. of B squares = 23 1cm2 = 23 cm2

No. of C squares = 453 0.04cm2 = 18.12 cm2

Total area of leaf = 129.12 cm2

Precautions
Ensure leaf does not shift

Conclusion
Based on the experiment done it was proven that the area of a
suitable leaf is 129.12 cm2

EXPERIMENT #3
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: To find the density of an irregular object using Archimedes
principle
DATE:

Apparatus and Materials

100 ml measuring cylinder

Small stone (that can easily fit inside the measuring cylinder)

Pipe water

Triple beam balance or electronic balance

Tissue or hand towel

Procedure

1. The scale was set up and checked to ensure that it is at zero.

2. The mass of the stone was Weighed and recorded.
3. 50ml of water was measured in the measuring cylinder.
4. This was recorded as the initial volume of water.
5. The measuring cylinder was tilted to about 45 and a small
stone was rolled down the sides without splashing. It was
placed on a levelled surface; the new volume was noted and
recorded.
6. This was recorded as the final volume of the water.
Calculations
Initial Volume of water =50 ml

Final volume of water =70.1ml

Net volume =

Net volume = V2 - V1

= 70.1ml 50ml
Net volume = 20.1ml

Density P =mass/volume

=23.9g/20.1ml

=1.19g/ml

Precautions

Ensure that meniscus is read from eye level

Conclusion

Based on the experiment done, it can be concluded that the

density of an irregular shaped object is 1.19g/ml using
Archimedes principle.
EXPERIMENT #4: TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: To study how the length of a string affects the period of a
pendulum
DATE:

Apparatus and Materials

A 60 100 cm crochet cord or any other suitable string

A 100g/200g weight

Dark coloured marker

Meter ruler

Protractor
Procedure
1. The crochet cord was tied to the weight.90cm between the
top of the weight
and fingers.
2. A position was marked 5cm down from the top of the cord
with a marker.
This was treated as the 85cm position.
3.10cm position were accurately marked from this position
down towards the
weight.
4. Then the cord was held vertically, then a protractor was
used to ensure it is
at the 90 mark.
5. A stop watch was used to time the oscillations, the stop
watch was checked to
ensure that it is at 0.
 6. The cord was displaced by 50 and released, ten oscillations
were counted at
length.
7. The cord was held at the 75cm position. Procedure five was
repeated until it

has reached the 45cm position.

8. The results were recorded in a suitable table

Results

Lengt Period One T2 Angle Mas

h 10 Oscillati Of s of
(cm) oscillat on displace the
ion (period/ ment bob
10)
85 20.10 2.01 50 250
75 18.82 1.882 50 250
65 17.92 1.792 50 250
55 17.19 1.719 50 250
45 16.05 1.605 50 250

TABLE SHOWING RESULTS

Discussion

When length is changed it will take more or less time to oscillate,

depending on its length and acceleration due to gravity.
Therefore, the period may be varied by changing either two
factors .Since acceleration due to gravity is constant on Earth; the
only dependent factor is the length of the pendulum. As the
length decreases the period becomes faster.

Precautions

Ensure that your eye is level with the centre of the bob when
measuring length to avoid parallax error
Ensure that the pendulum swings in one plane only - avoid
circular movements

Conclusions

Based on the experiment done it can be concluded that a

pendulum will exhibit a period that varies depending on its
length, as the length decreases the period
becomes faster.
EXPERIMENT #5:
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
SKILL: P & D

DATE:

Hypothesis: The mass of the pendulum will affect the period of

oscillation of the pendulum

Aim: To determine the effects of mass on the period of the

pendulum

Problem Statement: To plan an experiment to show how the mass

of the pendulum affects the period of the pendulum

Apparatus and Materials:

20g,30g,40g,50g masses
string
,ruler
Compass
retort stand
Clamp
stop watch
Procedure

1. Measure the length of the string to be 20cm

2. Attach the 20g mass to the end of the 20cm string
3. Tie the pendulum onto a clamp attached to a retort stand
4. Place the protractor in your hand and check to ensure that
the cord is at the 90 mark on the protractor
5. Displace the pendulum by 60,release and count ten
oscillations, the stop watch should be started simultaneously
when the mass is released
6. Repeat the procedures two through five using different
masses.
7. Record your results in a table and plot a graph of mass
against period

Expected Results and Explanation

Lengt Period One T2 Angle Mas

h 10 Oscillati Of s of
(cm) oscillat on displace the
ion (period/ ment bob
10)
50cm 14.88 1.488 60 20g
50cm 15.06 1.506 60 30g
50cm 15.11 1.511 60 40g
50cm 15.24 1.524 60 50g

Variables

Manipulated

mass

Responding
 Time taken for oscillations to occur

Control

Length of the pendulum

Number of oscillations
Displacement of the pendulum

Precautions
Ensure timer is set at zero
Ensure that your eye is level with the centre of the bob when
measuring length to avoid parallax error
Ensure that the pendulum swings in one plane only - avoid
circular movements

EXPERIMENT #6
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: To find the center of gravity of an irregular object

THEORY: The center of gravity of a body is defined as the point of

application of the gravitational force due to the earths attraction
on it, or the point on that body where all the weight seems to act

Apparatus:

An irregular shaped object (cardboard)

Bob

String

Nail or small screwdriver

Procedure
 1. Three holes were punched as far as possible from each
other, close to the edge of the irregularly shaped
cardboard
2. The nail was inserted in a steady overhead board stand.
3. The object was placed over the nail and the loose end
of the thread was tied over the object onto the nail.
4. A pencil was used to mark the line where the string falls
on the object.
5. The above steps were repeated for the other two holes.
Discussion
Center of gravity of an object is where all its weight seems to act.
The position on the lamina where all lines intersect is called the
center of gravity. The lamina was balanced at its intersection
point.
Precautions
Ensure that the string swings freely across the lamina
Make sure the string come to rest before marking the
positions

Conclusion
The center of gravity of the lamina was determined by
balancing the lamina at its intersection point
EXPERIMENT #7: Finding the weight of the meter rule
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: To find the weight of a meter ruler using the principle of
moments

Apparatus and Materials

Meter rule (1)

100g mass
 String

Pivot
Procedure
1. A string of approximately 30cm of length was tied to a 100g
mass.
2. A loop was tied at the other end ,that allowed the string to
be move with the 100g mass along the length of the meter
rule
3. The string was placed with 100g mass at the 5cm position on
the meter ruler.
4. The meter rule was balanced on the pivot.23cm from the
same end measured 5cm
5. This length was recorded as l cm and the distance from the
100g mass to the pivot as d cm ,this was recorded in a
suitable table
6. This procedure was repeated with the string and mass at
the 10cm mark and the new values were recorded in the
same table
7. This procedure was continued until the string and mass
reached the 30cm mark.

Results
 Position of Distance Position of
the pivot from the 100g mass
from the 100g mass from one
same end to the end l (cm)
(cm) pivot d
(cm)
23.5 18.5 5
26.7 16.7 10
29.8 14.8 15
32.7 12.7 20
35.5 10.8 25
38.5 8.5 30

Precautions

Conclusion

EXPERIMENT #8:
TITLE: MEASUREMENTS
AIM: To demonstrate that the extension of a spring is proportional
to the applied weight as long as the elastic limit of that spring is
not surpassed.

Theory: Hookes law states that provide the elastic limit has not
been exceeded the stretching force on a spring is directly
proportional to the extension of that spring. The extension is the
difference between the natural length of that spring and the
extended length due to the stretching force.

Apparatus and materials

Meter rule (1)

100, 50, 200g masses (two or three of each preferably)

String (50 100cm long),

Spiral spring

Clamp

Set square
Procedure
1. The ruler was repositioned so that it was right against the
spring that was used in test.
2. The reference line was moved to ensure that it lines up with
one of the numbers on the ruler. This mark was recorded in a
table as the zero position mark.
3. The lowest mass (50g) was attached to a spring with the
mouse and the extension value was recorded in table.
4. Step 5 with the other known masses was repeated and the
extension values were recorded in the same table.
5. A graph was plotted of force vs extension and then
determined if Hookes law was obeyed or not.
Results
MASS MASS Force (N) Zero Extension
(g) (kg) [Mass (kg) Extensi (cm)
x 10] on
value
(cm)
50 0.05 0.5 0 5
100 0.1 1 0 10
150 0.15 1.5 0 24
200 0.2 2 0 32
250 0.25 2.5 0 44
300 0.300 3 0 50
350 0.350 3.5 0 62

Discussion
The force vs extension graph gives a straight line which shows
that force is directly proportional to its extension. The gradient of
the force vs extension give spring constant where spring constant
is how stiff or rigid the string is. The table also shows that as the
force increase the extension also increases .It was also observed
that the graph obeyed Hookes law
Precautions

Ensure that the string does not pass it elastic limit

Conclusion
Base on the experiment done Hookes law was verified because
force vs extension reflects a straight line
EXPERIMENT #9:
TITLE: Thermal Physics and Kinetic energy
AIM: To find the find the specific heat capacity of a metal
SKILL:

Theory: The specific heat capacity is the heat required to produce a

unit temperature rise (1C) in a given unit mass of the substance
(1kg or 1g). So by knowing the mass of the substance and the
change in temperature, the specific heat capacity of that substance
can be evaluated experimentally.

Apparatus and Materials:

Measuring cylinder

Bunsen burner o

100g mass

Small polystyrene cup (3) (8 or 12 ozs size)

Thermometer

400ml beaker (1)

Tripod stand (if using Bunsen burner)

String (10 30 cm long)

Procedure
1. The string was tied to the 100g mass
2. Piped water was added to the 400ml beaker until it is
between 1/2 to 2/3 full

3. The Bunsen burner, gauze and tripod stand was set up and
the 400ml beaker was placed on top of it

4. The mass and string was placed into the 400ml beaker. The
string was checked to ensure that it was just barely hanging
over the side and not touching or too near the heat source.

5. The water was heated until it began to boil. Then it was

allowed to boil gently for 5 minutes. This temperature was
recorded in a table

6. During this 5 minute period, 60ml of pipe water was

accurately measured with the measuring cylinder and
transferred to each of the polystyrene cups.

7. The temperature of the water was measured in each of the

cups. These temperature values were recorded in a suitable
table.

8. After the 5 minute period, the mass from the boiling water
with the string was removed and was gently transferred to
one of the polystyrene cups.

9. The mass was moved up and down within the mass of water
in the cup and the highest temperature increased on the
thermometer was noted. This value was recorded in a table.

10. The mass was then returned to the boiling water and let
for another 5 minutes. The mass was transferred to another
polystyrene cup and the highest temperature was noted
again. That value was noted in the same table.
 11. The mass was then returned to the boiling water for
the third time and the experiment was repeated for the final
time and the temperature value was recorded in the same
table
Results
Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J Kg-1 C-1

Mass of water =60g

Temperature of water before =33c

Temperature of water after =39.8c

Mass of metal =100g

Temp of metal before =99 c

Heat lost by metal = Heat gained by water

Calculations
m = is the mass of the substance (Kg) (water or 100g
mass),
c = specific heat capacity (J Kg-1 C-1) and
T = temperature change (C)
m mass xc mass xT mass =m water xc water x T water
Mass of thermometer before = 401.1g

Mass of thermometer after =422g

Final temperature 39C

Mass of water

Precautions

Conclusion

EXPERIMENT #10: Finding specific heat capacity of concrete

TITLE: Thermal Physics and Kinetic energy
SKILL: P & D

DATE:

Aim: To plan an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity

of concrete

THEORY: The specific heat capacity is the heat required to

produce a unit temperature rise (1C) in a given unit mass of the
substance (1kg or 1g). So by knowing the mass of the substance
and the change in temperature, the specific heat capacity of that
substance can be
evaluated experimentally.
EXPERIMENT #11: The latent heat of fusion of ice
TITLE: Thermal Physics and Kinetic energy
AIM: To find the latent heat of fusion of ice
SKILL:

Theory: The latent heat of fusion is the heat required to convert unit
mass of ice at 0C to the same mass of water at the same
temperature. The same amount of heat is released when the
process is reversed. This process occurs (in either direction) without
a change in temperature. Or to say it in another way, the
temperature does not increase or decrease, until the change of
state is completed.

The value of the latent heat of ice can be determined by completely

melting small pieces of ice in a known mass of water. The heat
energy required to completely change the ice to liquid would be
gained from the surrounding water and so the latent heat of the ice
can be deduced from the following relationship:
 Heat energy gained by the ice = Heat energy lost by the water

, mice x lice + m ice x cw x Tice = mwater x cwater x

Twater
Apparatus and Materials:

Measuring cylinder

Small polystyrene cup (3) (8 or 12 ozs size)

Thermometer

Electronic balance or triple beam balance

ice
Method
1. The Styrofoam cup was weighed on the scale
2. The water was warmed water to 70C
3. About 60g of water was weighed in the Styrofoam cup
4. The initial temperature of the water was measured and
recorded.
5. About 10g of ice was added into this water
6. The mixture was stirred until the ice was completely melted.
7. The new temperature was recorded
8. The Styrofoam cup with the water/ice mixture was
reweighed and the value recorded.
9. The weight of the ice added to the water was deduced .

EXPERIMENT #12: Verifying Boyles law

TITLE: Thermal Physics and Kinetic energy

AIM: To verify Boyles Law from experimental data

SKILL: A/I

Theory: Boyles law states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is
inversely proportional to the applied pressure at a constant
temperature.
P 1/V or vice versa and consequently P = k/V or k = PV where k is a constant

Apparatus and Materials:

 Pressure gauge

A sealed tube with air or any other suitable gas

Method:
1. The default value on the system at the given temperature
was noted and recorded in the table.
2. The pressure was increased by defined amounts e.g. 20kPa
or 20 atm on the system and the corresponding change in
volume noted.
3. The new values were recorded in the same table.
4. This was repeated 5 more times, each time recording the
pressure and volume values in the table.
Results

Pressure Volume (ml) V

15.8 32.6 1.63

17.4 29.6 0.57
20.0 25.7 0.050
22.2 23.2 0.045
23.8 21.6 0.42

Discussion
Precautions

Conclusion

EXPERIMENT #13: Verifying Charless law

TITLE: Thermal Physics and Kinetic energy
AIM: To verify Charless law by experimental methods
SKILL: O/R/R

Theory: Charless law states that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is
directly proportional to the temperature at a given pressure.

V T and consequently V = kT or k = V/T where k is a constant

Apparatus and Materials:

 Volume gauge

A sealed tube with air or any other suitable gas

Method:
1. The default pressure value on the system was noted and
recorded in the table
2. The pressure was increased by defined amounts e.g. 10 or
20 C atm on the system and the corresponding change in
volume was noted.
3. The new values were recorded in the same table.
4. This was repeated 5 6 more times, each time recording the
temperature and volume values in the table.

Results

Pressure Volume

286.5 24.95
296 26.00
307 26.78
320 27.91
340 29.166

Precautions

Conclusion
EXPERIMENT #14: Investigating the relationship between incident
light and reflection
TITLE: Waves and Light
AIM: To investigate the relationship between incident light and
reflection
SKILL: M/M
Theory: Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary and goes
back into the medium without crossing the boundary. The laws of
reflection states that:

1. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of

reflection

2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all
lay in the same plane

3. When reflection occurs the wavelength of that ray

remains unchanged

Apparatus and Materials:

Plane mirror

Common pins

Sharp pencil

Cardboard sheet (8 x 11) or bigger

Plain paper

Protractor

Small ruler (preferably clear plastic)

Method:
1. A protractor and ruler; were used to draw a horizontal line on
the lower third of the plain paper. The paper was placed in the
landscape position.

2. The protractor and pencil were used to draw a normal line in

the center of the horizontal line (broken lines).
3. A line was drawn 10 from the normal
4. Two pins were placed at different positions along this line.
5. The mirror was placed in line with the horizontal line so that
the normal line was in the center of the mirror
6. On the other side of the normal line, using the reflections in
the mirror, the two other pins were aligned so that they
appeared as one in the reflection.
7. The pins were removed and a line was drawn through the pin
holes. This represented the reflected ray.

8. The angle of the reflected ray was measured and both the
incident and reflected ray angles were recorded in a table
9. The procedure was repeated six more times each time
increasing the angle by 10 and recording the results in the
same table.
EXPERIMENT #15: Finding focal length of a convex lens

TITLE: Waves and Light

AIM: To determine the focal length of a convex lens
SKILL: M/M

Theory: A convex lens is thicker in the middle than the edges. It has
the ability to bring incident parallel rays into a single focal point.
This focal point can be determined from experiment.

Apparatus and Materials:

Convex lens

Convex lens holder

Light source

White screen

Illuminated object (with a pin or a small mesh in the centre)

Meter ruler

Small ruler (preferably clear plastic)

Method:
1. A protractor and ruler; were used to draw a horizontal line on
the lower third of the plain paper. The paper was placed in
landscape position.
2. The apparatus was set up in a similar manner to the diagram.
The image on the screen was adjusted until a sharp image
was seen.
3. The distance of the illuminated object from the lens was
recorded as u and the distance of the image on the screen
from the lens was recorded as v in a table
 4. The distance u was decreased by 5cm and the screen was re-
adjusted until the image was again sharp. The v value was
re- measured and both u and v were recorded in the table
5. This was repeated for four to five more times and the values
were recorded in the table.
6. Using the equation: 1/u + 1/v = 1/f, the value of f was
determined from values of u and v in the table.

Results

..u (cm) v (cm) 1/u (cm- 1/v (cm- 1/f f (cm)

1
) 1
) (cm )
-1

34 31 1/34 1/31 65/10 16.2

54
26 32 1/26 1/32 58/83 14.3
2

Calculations

Discussion
Precautions

Conclusion

EXPERIMENT #16: Length of a wire and resistance

TITLE: Electricity and Magnetism
AIM: Investigating the relationship between change in the length of
a wire and resistance

Theory: The resistance of a wire is directly proportional to the

length of a wire as shown by the relationship R L/A. with A being the
cross sectional area of the wire. (R=kL/A), k = resistivity constant

Apparatus and Materials:

Resistance meter
Method:
1. The material to be assessed (Copper, Aluminum etc)
was chosen.
2. The thickness of the material 0.25cm was
selected
3. The starting length of the wire and the corresponding
resistance for this length was selected. These values were
recorded in a table.
4. The length was increased by a steady value e.g.
10cm and the corresponding change of resistance recorded in
the same table.
Results
Length (cm) Resistance ()

2.2 1.56
4 2.43
5.4 3.2
7.6 5.37
10 7.07

R=Resistivity
A

0.17 Copper per Cm

EXPERIMENT #17: Thickness of a wire and resistance

TITLE: Electricity and Magnetism

AIM: To investigate the relationship between change in the
thickness of a wire and resistance

SKILL: P & D
DATE:

Theory: The resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to the

area of a wire as shown by the relationship
EXPERIMENT #18: Voltage characteristic of a Lamp
TITLE: Electricity and Magnetism
DATE:

AIM: To Investigate the voltage characteristic of a lamp

Theory: The voltage in a circuit relates to the current and the

resistance by the relationship V = I.R, where I = the current flowing
through the lamp and R = the resistance of the lamp

Apparatus and Materials:

Voltmeter

Power supply etc

Method:
1. A circuit was set up similar to the one below. The current
flowing was of a given value but the resistance could be
varied by the variable resistor
 2. The resistance was increased incrementally for about 5
different values and the corresponding changes in voltage
across the resistor in the circuit was noted.
3. These values were recorded in a suitable table
4. The relationship of V to R when I is constant was deduced.

EXPERIMENT #19:
Effect of distance (from the detector) on the transmission of beta
radiation

TITLE: Physics of the atom

AIM: To find the effect of distance (from the detector) on the

transmission of beta radiation

DATE:

Skill:

Theory: Beta radiation is one of three types of particles emitted

from radioactive sources. It is the second most penetrating type of
radiation (after gamma) and is absorbed fairly rapidly by air
molecules but is still able to travel several cm in air from its source.
 In this experiment the travel distance of these particles will be
assessed.

Apparatus and Materials:

Geiger counter

Beta radiation source etc

Method:
1. The level of background radiation was determined before
placing the source in front of the detector.
2. The counter was reset and the experiment was repeated
three times to get an average count per second for the
background radiation.
3. The results were recorded in a suitable table
4. The beta radiation source was placed 30cm from the
detector. The counter was reset and used to determine the
count rate for the next 10 seconds.
5. This was repeated twice or thrice for this distance and the
results recorded in the table.
6. The distance was moved to 25cm and step 5 repeated.
7. The distance was decreased by 5cm until a distance of 10cm
was reached, the results were recorded in the table.
8. A graph was plotted showing the average count rate vs
distance (x axis)
9. A reasonable discussion and conclusion were written
Source Distance Count Count Average
(cm) Duration
(sec) Count
Rate

30 10039
25 13876
20 1999
15 30475
10 49821
EXPERIMENT #20: Effect of shielding materials on the transmission
of beta radiation

TITLE: Physics of the atom

AIM: Effect of shielding materials on the transmission of beta
radiation

SKILL: P & D

DATE:
Theory: Materials can absorb beta radiation by varying degrees. In
some cases, these materials are quite permeable and very little
absorption takes place. In other cases, the materials are highly
absorptive and very few beta particles can penetrate the material.
Plan and design your experiment to show how you would assess
this.

Apparatus and Materials: (YOU DETERMINE THE MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THIS EXPERIMENT)

METHOD: (YOU DETERMINE THIS)