SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF BASIC SCIENCES

PMPH130 PHYSICS LABS

LECTURER(S): MR MUBANGA

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. SUBMIT ONE REPORT PER SUB GROUP.
2. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND THE LAB SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED ON
THE COVER PAGE TO AVOID THE LAB REPORT BEING REJECTED.
3. TYPE ALL YOUR WORK AND PLOT GRAPHS ON EXCEL WHERE NECESSARY.
4. PREPARE A TYPED LAB REPORT (see guidelines on how to write a lab report).
5. CLASSREPS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER AND COLLECT ALL LAB REPORTS
FROM ALL STUDENTS AND SUBMIT TO THE LAB TECHNICIANS.
6. LATE SUBMISSIONS IS NOT ALLOWED.
 <<Lab 1>>

You may not need to use all of the materials provided. In this experiment, you will investigate
the motion of a spring and a mass.
(a) ● Set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.1.

● The distance between the top of the rod of the clamp and the bottom of the mass
hanger is z, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Measure and record z. z = ...............................................................

● Add mass m to the mass hanger where m = 0.200kg. Gently lower the mass to
stretch the spring.
● Record the total added mass m (do not include the mass of the hanger).

m = .......................................................... kg

● Pull the bottom of the mass hanger horizontally through a short distance.
● Release the mass hanger. The mass hanger and masses will oscillate as shown in
Fig. 1.2.
 ● Determine the period T of these oscillations.
T = ............................................................ s [1]

(b) By changing the total mass added to the mass hanger, vary m. Measure T and repeat
until you have six sets of values of m and T. Include your values from (a). Do not use
m=0
Record your results in a table. Include values of (T 2 /m) and (1/ m) in your table.
m T (T 2 /m) (1/ m)
1
2
3
4
5
6

[10]
(c) (i) Plot a graph of T 2/ m on the y-axis against 1 /m on the x-axis. [3]
(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit. [1]
(iii) Determine the gradient and y-intercept of this line.
gradient = ...............................................................
y-intercept = ............................................................... [2]
(c) It is suggested that the quantities T and m are related by the equation

where A and B are constants.

Using your answers in (c)(iii), determine the values of A and B. Give appropriate units
A = ...............................................................
 B = ............................................................... [2]
(d) A student repeats the experiment using two springs in series, as shown in Fig. 1.3

Using two springs connected in series halves the value of the spring constant of the
system. Theory suggests that A is proportional to z and that B is inversely
proportional to the spring constant of the system.

For this experiment, draw a second line on the graph to show the expected results.
Label this line W. [1]

[Total: 20]
 <<Lab 2>>

You may not need to use all of the materials provided. In this experiment, you will
investigate the oscillations of a wooden strip.

(a) (i) ● Assemble the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.1 with the nail held securely in the
boss

Fig. 2.1

● Hang the mass labelled M midway between the nail and the end of the strip.
● Adjust the height of the boss so that the strip is parallel to the bench.
● Move the weight so that the spring is vertical.
● L is the distance between the nail and the string loop attached to M, as shown in
Fig. 2.1. Measure and record L.

L = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) ● Pull the free end of the strip down by approximately 2cm. Release the strip so
that it oscillates.
● Take measurements to determine the period T of the oscillations.

T = ....................................................... s [2]

(b) ● Move M along the strip and adjust the apparatus so that the strip is parallel to
the bench.
● Measure L and determine T.
 ● Repeat until you have six sets of values of L and T.

Record your results in a table. Include values of L2 and T2 in your table.

L T L2 T2
1
2
3
4
5
6

[9]

(c) (i) Plot a graph of T2 on the y-axis against L2 on the x-axis. [3]
(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit. [1]
(iii) Determine the gradient and y-intercept of this line.

gradient = ...............................................................
y-intercept = ............................................................... [2]

(e) It is suggested that the quantities T and L are related by the equation:

T2 = aL2 + b where a and b are constants.

Use your answers in (c)(iii) to determine the values of a and b. Give appropriate units.

a = ...............................................................
b = ............................................................... [2]

[Total: 20]
 <<Lab 3>>
In this experiment, you will investigate the oscillations of a square shape

(a) (i) ● Bend the wire to form a square shape so that the length L of each side is
approximately 12cm, as shown in Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1

• Use the wire cutters to remove any excess wire.

• Measure and record L

L = ................................................... cm [1]

(ii) Estimate the percentage uncertainty in your value of L. Show your working.

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................... [1]

(b) (i) ● Place the cork in the clamp and attach the clamp to the stand using the boss.
● Hang the wire square from the pin as shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2.
Gently displace the wire square and release it so that it oscillates as shown in Fig. 3.3.

Fig. 3.3.

● Determine the period T of the oscillations.

T = ...................................................... s [3]

(ii) Calculate T2

T2 = ..................................................... s2 [1]

(iii) Justify the number of significant figures you have given for your value of T2.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
[1]

(c) ● Remove the wire square from the pin.

● Form a new square shape from the wire so that L is approximately 6cm.
● Use the wire cutters to remove the excess wire.
● Measure and record L.

L = ......................................................... cm

● Repeat (b)(i) and (b)(ii).

T = ............................................................ s
T = ........................................................... s2 [2]
2
(d) It is suggested that the relationship between T and L is T2 = L k where k is a
constant.
(i) Using your data, calculate two values of k.

first value of k = ...............................................................

second value of k = ............................................................... [2]

(ii) Explain whether your results support the suggested relationship.

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
[1]
(e) An approximate value for the acceleration of free fall g is given by g = 46.5k.
Use your second value of k to calculate a value for g

g = ................................................ ms–2 [1]

(f) (i) Describe four sources of uncertainty or limitations of the procedure for this
experiment.
1........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
2........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
3........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
4........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
[4]
 <<Lab 4 >>

You may not need to use all of the materials provided. In this experiment, you will
investigate a potential divider circuit
(a) (i) ● Connect the voltmeter across the cell as shown in Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1
● The reading on the voltmeter is the electromotive force (e.m.f.) E of the cell.
Record E

E = ...............................................................

● Measure and record the diameter d of wire A.

d = ............................................................... [1]

(ii) Calculate Ed2

Ed 2 = ......................................................... [1]

(iii) Justify the number of significant figures that you have given for your value of
Ed 2.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) (i) You have been provided with a wooden strip with some wire connected
between two nails.

● Set up the circuit shown in Fig. 3.2

 Fig. 3.2

● C and D are crocodile clips. Place the clips on wire A so that the length L of
wire between C and D is equal to the length of wire between the two nails.

● Measure and record L.

L = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) Estimate the percentage uncertainty in your value of L. Show your working.

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................... [1]

(c) ● Close the switch.

(d) ● Record the voltmeter reading V.
V = ...............................................................

● Open the switch.

● Remove the wire between C and D. [1]

(e) ● Measure and record the diameter d of wire B.

d = ...............................................................

● Calculate Ed 2.

Ed 2 = ...............................................................

● Connect length L of wire B between C and D and repeat (c).

 V = ............................................................... [3]

(f) It is suggested that the relationship between V, E and d is

where k is a constant.

(i) Using your data, calculate two values of k.

(ii)
first value of k = ...............................................................
second value of k = ............................................................... [2]

(iii) Explain whether your results support the suggested relationship.

....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................ [1]

(g) Theory suggests that

k =D 2
where D is the diameter of the wire on the wooden strip.

Use your second value of k to calculate a value for D.

D = ......................................................... [1]

(g) (i) Describe four sources of uncertainty or limitations of the procedure for this
experiment.
1. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
3. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
4. .......................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) Describe four improvements that could be made to this experiment. You may suggest the
use of other apparatus or different procedures.
1. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
3. .......................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
4. .......................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [4]
[Total: 20]
 <<LAB 5>>

<< Determination of resistivity of a wire using a micrometre, ammeter and voltmeter >>

Equipment:
• 1m long nichrome wire
• Voltmeter
• Ammeter
• Low voltage power supply
• Micrometre
• Metre ruler
Method:
• Measure the diameter d of the nichrome wire at various points along it using the
micrometre and find and record the mean diameter.
• Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram.
• Adjust the length l to 0.100m(10cm) using the crocodile clips, measured using the
metre ruler.
• Read and record the current I on the ammeter and the voltage V on the voltmeter.
Calculate the resistance R by using R=V/I and record this.
• Increase l by 0.100m (10cm) and repeat this, increasing it by 0.100m each time up to
0.800m.
• Repeat the experiment twice more and find and record the mean R for each l.
Graphs and calculations:
• Calculate the cross-sectional area A of the wire by A= (𝜋𝑑 2 /4)
Micrometre Reading/mm

Resistance of leads = ____________

Micrometre zero error = ___________
Average of micrometre readings = __________
Diameter of wire = __________ [3]

• Plot a graph of the mean value of R on the y-axis against l on the x-axis and draw
a line of best fit. The resistivity will be the gradient multiplied by the cross-
sectional area of the wire. [3]
𝑅
• ρ=( 𝑙 )A = GA, where G is the gradient. [2]
 • Calculate the percentage error in the value of resistivity(ρ). (Note that the true
value will be given by the instructor):
true value – measured value
% error = ×100%
𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

[2]

No. L,m I,A P.d, V R,Ω

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
[8]

• Describe any two (2) sources of errors during this experiment. [2]

Safety:
• Disconnect the crocodile clips in between measurements to avoid the wire heating up
and causing burns if touched. If the current rises too high, reduce the voltage using the
variable power supply.
• If the wire is tight, safety goggles should be worn in case it snaps and injures eyes.
Improvements and notes:
• The wire heating up might additionally cause the resistance of the wire to change,
affecting measurements. To reduce this, disconnect it in between measurements or
reduce the voltage of the supply so the current is lower.
• The wire should be free from kinks and held straight so the measurement of the length
is as accurate as possible.