A-Level Physics Practical Endorsement Course

The A-level Physics Practical Endorsement course at BioGrad Education comprises a minimum of 12 experiments in total, each carefully selected to allow students to demonstrate their competency in the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC). The oscillations of springs and pendula, and the dropping of objects from height are the classic approaches towards confirming Newtonian mechanics, whilst the use of magnetic fields to induce standing waves for the measurement of density might be considered somewhat less conventional. Investigating electrical circuits enables the student to study capacitance and resistivity, and links neatly into the topic of electromagnetism. The gas laws of Charles and Boyle can be demonstrated with elegance, using surprisingly simple equipment. Students will have access to specialist kit and will be taught how to use a micrometre barrel scale and the Vernier scale on a travelling microscope. They will be encouraged to evaluate their results by analysing errors and uncertainties in their measurements, hence allowing them to be critical about what constitutes a ‘true’ value.

The course is as much a learning experience as an assessment. The aim is for the student to improve their general approach and practical skills during practical work over the course of the week and to provide a tangible framework upon which preparations for A-level can be firmly secured.

Practical 1 – Standing waves on a wire under tension.

Practical 2a – Measuring the separation of Young’s slits.

Practical 2b – Measuring the wavelength of light with a diffraction grating.

Practical 3 – Measuring g by freefall.

Practical 4 – Young’s modulus of a metal wire.

Practical 5 – Measuring the resistivity of a metal wire.

Practical 6 – Measuring the EMF and internal resistance of a power supply.

Practical 7a – Oscillations of a mass on a spring.

Practical 7b – Investigating the oscillations of a simple pendulum.

Practical 8a – Boyle’s law.

Practical 8b – Charles’ law.

Practical 9 – Slow discharge and charging of a capacitor.

Practical 10 – Force on a current-carrying wire.

Practical 11 – Magnetic flux.

Practical 12 – Investigation of the inverse- square law for gamma radiation.

• Students must be studying an England A-level Physics qualification with AQA, Eduquas, Pearson Edexcel or OCR.
• This is an intensive practical course designed for students to “fast track” the A-level practical skills assessment required for the Practical Endorsement. This course contains a number of opportunities to access each of the assessed practical techniques, and CPAC.
• If the student has experienced minimal practical work opportunities before studying A-level Physics, BioGrad Education recommends they consider the 1- day introduction to laboratory skills course. This course also offers the change to gain vital skills required to be successful going forward.