Step-by-step laboratory practicals for IB, IGCSE & GCSE Science
Category: Practical Science
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.
IB Biology IA: Beetroot and Cell Membrane Permeability In this investigation, you will use beetroot tissue to explore how increasing temperature affects the permeability of cell membranes. As membranes are damaged by heat, the red pigment anthocyanin leaks out of the vacuole — the more pigment released, the more permeable the membrane has become. A colorimeter is used to measure absorbance quantitatively, making this an excellent IB Biology IA investigation. This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Biology and Edexcel IGCSE Biology students.
In this investigation, you will measure the enthalpy of neutralisation (ΔHₙₑᵤₜ) for a strong acid and a weak acid reacting with a strong base, and use the difference to explore the relationship between enthalpy change and acid dissociation constants (Kₐ and pKₐ). This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Chemistry HL and makes an excellent Internal Assessment (IA) topic.
The iodine clock reaction is a classic chemistry experiment that produces a dramatic, sudden colour change from colourless to deep blue-black. In this investigation, you will explore how changing the temperature affects the rate of this reaction and use your results to determine the activation energy of the reaction.
From an ancient planet that defies the laws of physics to bacteria engineered to hunt cancer, this week's science news spans the cosmos and the deep blue sea. Here are six stories that caught our attention — and might just spark a great classroom discussion.