Step-by-step laboratory practicals for IB, IGCSE & GCSE Science
Tag: IB DP
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) undergoes hydrolysis in aqueous solution to produce salicylic acid and ethanoic acid. The rate of this hydrolysis is strongly dependent on pH. In this investigation, you will use a colorimeter to track the appearance of salicylate ions (which form a purple complex with iron(III) ions) and measure how pH affects the rate of hydrolysis. This produces a fully continuous dataset in both IV and DV, making it an outstanding IB Chemistry IA.
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.
Scoring top grades in IB Diploma, IGCSE or GCSE science is not just about intelligence — it is about how you revise. The students who consistently achieve the highest marks are not necessarily the ones who work the longest hours; they are the ones who use the right strategies. This guide brings together the most effective, evidence-based revision techniques to help you work smarter and perform at your best when it matters most.
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.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, C₆H₈O₆) is an essential nutrient and a reducing agent that is readily oxidised. In this investigation, you will use iodometric titration to measure the vitamin C content of fruit juice after exposure to two continuous variables: temperature and metal ion concentration. Both investigations use the same titration method, making this a versatile and highly scorable IB Chemistry IA topic. This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Chemistry and makes an excellent Internal Assessment (IA) topic.
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.