GCSE Physics: Required Practicals — Forces, Waves and Light

This material covers the practical activities in the forces and waves topics of GCSE Physics: the extension of a spring, the effect of force and mass on acceleration, measuring waves in a ripple tank and on a stretched string, comparing how different surfaces emit infrared radiation, and the reflection and refraction of light. The infrared and light practicals are part of separate (triple) physics, for example in AQA's specification; the others are shared with combined science. Method details are typical school versions rather than one board's wording.

Each practical is approached the way examiners ask about it. For the spring you measure extension rather than length, read the pointer at eye level, calculate a spring constant from F = ke, and spot where the limit of proportionality has been passed in a set of readings. For the trolley you explain why masses are moved from the trolley to the hanger (so that the total mass stays constant) and calculate an acceleration from two speeds and a time. For waves you find a wavelength by measuring across several waves, find a frequency by counting waves in a known time, work out wave speed with v = fλ, and turn a pattern of loops on a vibrating string into a wavelength. For infrared and light you identify control variables with a Leslie cube, recall which surface is the best emitter, and use the law of reflection and the direction of refraction at a glass block.

The equations are provided on the real papers, so the calculations test whether you choose and use them correctly: converting centimetres to metres, using a change in reading rather than a single reading, and remembering that one loop on a string is only half a wavelength.

The material offers three formats. The quiz has 12 questions mixing single-answer and multiple-answer items, with an explanation for each answer. The flashcards give quick revision of the key equations and terms such as limit of proportionality, wavelength and frequency. The written work is a printable sheet of 8 longer questions, including a spring data set to analyse, acceleration and wave-speed calculations from measurements, and full method descriptions, which you answer by hand and upload for feedback on each answer.

• Measure extension correctly and calculate a spring constant; identify the limit of proportionality from data
• Explain how to keep mass constant when investigating force and acceleration, and calculate acceleration from measurements
• Measure wavelength and frequency in a ripple tank and on a string, and calculate wave speed
• Identify variables in the infrared radiation practical and name the best and worst emitters
• Apply the law of reflection and describe refraction at a glass block (separate physics)

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the DfE GCSE physics subject content and the practical activities set in exam-board specifications (AQA GCSE Physics 8463 used as the example): force and extension, acceleration, waves, infrared radiation, reflection and refraction.