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Edexcel A-level Physics core practicals
Pearson Edexcel A-level Physics (9PH0) sets 16 core practicals, and you are expected to attempt all of them. Each one is listed by number in the specification's words, with a link to where we teach the method.
When a core practical is the same experiment as an AQA required practical, the link goes to the full guide for it, with the method, analysis, uncertainties and marks. Otherwise it goes to the lesson section that teaches the method.
Determine the acceleration of a freely-falling object
Learn the method: Measuring g by free fall, the AQA required practical 3 guide
Determine the electrical resistivity of a material
Learn the method: Resistivity of a wire, the AQA required practical 5 guide
Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell
Learn the method: EMF and internal resistance of a cell, the AQA required practical 6 guide
Use a falling-ball method to determine the viscosity of a liquid
Learn the method: Measuring viscosity with a falling ball, in Fluids: pressure, upthrust and viscosity
Determine the Young modulus of a material
Learn the method: The Young modulus of a wire, the AQA required practical 4 guide
Determine the speed of sound in air using a 2-beam oscilloscope, signal generator, speaker and microphone
Learn the method: Measuring the speed of sound with a two-beam oscilloscope, in Longitudinal and transverse waves
Investigate the effects of length, tension and mass per unit length on the frequency of a vibrating string or wire
Learn the method: Stationary waves on a string, the AQA required practical 1 guide
Determine the wavelength of light from a laser or other light source using a diffraction grating
Learn the method: Interference: double slit and diffraction grating, the AQA required practical 2 guide
Investigate the relationship between the force exerted on an object and its change of momentum
Learn the method: Measuring impulse and collisions in the laboratory, in Momentum and impulse
Use ICT to analyse collisions between small spheres, for example ball bearings on a table top
Learn the method: Measuring impulse and collisions in the laboratory, in Momentum and impulse
Use an oscilloscope or data logger to display and analyse the potential difference (p.d.) across a capacitor as it charges and discharges through a resistor
Learn the method: Charging and discharging a capacitor, the AQA required practical 9 guide (uses a voltmeter or data logger, not an oscilloscope)
Calibrate a thermistor in a potential-divider circuit as a thermostat
Learn the method: Calibrating a thermistor as a thermostat, in Sensing circuits and the potentiometer
Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change
Learn the method: Latent heat and changes of state, in Specific heat capacity and latent heat
Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature
Learn the method: Boyle's law and Charles's law, the AQA required practical 8 guide
Investigate the absorption of gamma radiation by lead
Learn the method: Measuring the absorption of gamma radiation by lead, in Half-life and nuclear instability
Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known masses
Learn the method: Finding an unknown mass from resonant frequencies, in Forced vibrations and resonance
The wording of each practical is Pearson's; check the current specification for the definitive list. See also the AQA required practicals, the OCR PAG practicals and the Edexcel specification map.