The simple pendulum is one of the most studied systems in classical mechanics. By measuring how the period of oscillation changes with pendulum length, you can determine the local gravitational field strength g with remarkable precision from a school laboratory. The relationship T² ∝ L produces a clean linear graph whose gradient directly yields g, making this an ideal IB Physics IA for demonstrating rigorous uncertainty analysis.
This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Physics HL and SL and Edexcel IGCSE Physics.
When a sphere falls through a viscous fluid, it eventually reaches a constant velocity called terminal velocity, at which the drag force exactly balances gravity. Stokes’ law predicts that terminal velocity is proportional to the square of the sphere’s radius. By measuring terminal velocity for spheres of different radii falling through glycerol, you can verify … Continue reading Terminal Velocity vs Sphere Radius: Verifying Stokes’ Law and Measuring Viscosity→
When a charged capacitor discharges through a resistor, the voltage decays exponentially with time. The time constant τ = RC determines how quickly this happens. By measuring τ for different resistance values, you can verify the linear relationship τ = RC and calculate the capacitance of the capacitor. A data logger makes this investigation particularly powerful, generating rich continuous voltage-time data for each resistance. This is an outstanding IB Diploma Physics HL Internal Assessment topic.
In this investigation, you will measure how the magnetic field strength around a long straight current-carrying wire varies with distance. Using a Hall probe (or a compass and plotting paper as an alternative), you will collect quantitative data and test whether the relationship follows the theoretical inverse proportionality predicted by Ampère’s law. This is an excellent IB Diploma Physics HL Internal Assessment topic.
This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Physics HL students.
Young's double-slit experiment is one of the most elegant demonstrations in physics. By passing light through two closely spaced slits, an interference pattern of bright and dark fringes is produced on a screen. Measuring the fringe spacing allows you to calculate the wavelength of the light used. This makes it an excellent IB Diploma Physics HL Internal Assessment investigation.
Free IGCSE Physics Quizlet flashcard links for every topic. Interactive revision with flashcards, quizzes and games for Edexcel IGCSE Physics students.
