AQA GCSE Physics Required Practicals - Variables, Measurements and Paper 1-2 Experiments

Sep 5, 2026

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Study notes for AQA GCSE Physics required practicals, focusing on experimental variables and fair testing: independent variables changed, dependent variables measured, and control variables kept constant. Provide structured tables mapping practical activities to variables for Paper 1 (specific heat capacity, thermal insulation, resistance, I-V characteristics, density) and Paper 2 (force-extension, acceleration, waves, light, radiation and absorption). Include key concepts like repeatable, reproducible, anomaly, resolution and range, plus step-by-step equipment lists, procedures and safety reminders, and brief sample results for resistance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Variables and experimental fairness

Independent, dependent and control variables

Repeatable, reproducible, anomaly

Resolution and range

Paper 1 practicals

Specific heat capacity

Thermal insulation

Electrical resistance (activities 1 and 2)

I-V characteristics of lamp, resistor and diode

Density

Paper 2 practicals

Force and extension

Acceleration 1 and 2

Waves on a string

Light (incidence, refraction, reflection)

Radiation and absorption

Practical steps, equipment and safety

Specific heat capacity procedure and safety

Thermal insulation procedure and safety

Electrical resistance circuit setup and method

Density activity method

AQA GCSE Physics Required Practicals An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment. The dependent variable is 'dependent' on the independent variable. Control variables are all the other variables that could affect the dependent variable. They are kept the same during the experiment to give a fair test of the independent variable. | | | Idependent | Dependent | Control | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | What is changed | What is measured | What is kept the same | | Paper 1 | Specific Heat
Capacity | electrical energy input | temperature rise | mass of block
thickness of insulation | | | Thermal Insulation | type of insulation | temperature drop | volume of water start temperature | | | Resistance 1 | length of wire | electrical resistance (V and I as R=V/I) | thickness of wire material of wire | | | Resistance 2 | series or parallel | electrical resistance | value of resistors | | | I-V characteristics Bulb, Resistor, Diode | potential difference | current | component
rest of circuit | | | Density | object or material | mass and volume density = m/v | gravity (stays the same on its own) | | Paper 2 | Force and
Extension | force | extension | the spring
(gravity) | | | Acceleration 1 | force | acceleration | mass | | | Acceleration 2 | mass | acceleration | force | | | Waves (on a string) | frequency | wavelength | tension in string mass of sting | | | Light | angle of incidence and block material | angle of refraction
angle of reflection | colour of light shape of block | | | Radiation and Absorption | colour and texture of surface | intensity of emitted IRradiation | surface temperature distance from surface | Repeatable: When a measurement is repeated there is little variation in the measured value. Reproducible: When an experiment is done by someone else the findings are the same. Anomaly: The result of a measurement that does not fit the pattern in the other results. Resolution: The size of the divisions on a measuring instrument. Range: The minimum to maximum values tested or measured. Paper 1 Specific Heat Capacity • metal block with two holes • thermometer • heater • power supply • insulation to wrap around the blocks • joulemeter • balance to determine the mass of the blocks • heatproof mat Safety: Care with hot heater 1. Measure the mass of the metal block with the balance 2. Zero the joule meter 3. Take the temperature of the block 4. Turn on the power supply 5. Heat by only around 10􀁱 C to reduce heat losses 6. Turn off the supply and record the highest temperature reached 7. Record the electrical energy input from the joulemeter Thermal Insulation • boiling tubes and rack • thermometer • stopwatch • kettle • thermometers (in bungs) • sheets of insulating material 1. Cover boiling tubes in different insulations 2. Add boiling water to tubes 3. Place thermometers in water 4. Make sure top is sealed to prevent evaporation 5. Wait for highest temperature reached 6. Record temperature as it falls at regular time intervals 7. Repeat with different insulating materials 8. Plot graph of temperature against time Safety: Care with hot water Electrical Resistance Activity 1 • resistance wire on meter rule Safety: Care with hot wire • ammeter • voltmeter • power supply • leads and crocodile clips 1. Connect up the circuit as in the diagram 2. The resistance wire is connected at points A and B 3. Keep A and B greater than 10cm to prevent the wire getting too hot 4. Measure the distance between A and B 5. Record the current and potential difference 6. Calculate the resistance using R=V/I 7. Increase distance between A and B and repeat 8. Plot a graph of length of wire against resistance Activ

FAQs

What is the difference between independent, dependent, and control variables in these practicals?

The independent variable is changed or controlled to test an effect. The dependent variable is measured to see that effect. Control variables are kept the same to ensure a fair test.

How do repeatable and reproducible results relate to practical reliability?

Repeatable means repeated measurements show little variation. Reproducible means different people carrying out the experiment get the same findings.

What do resolution and range mean in the context of measurements?

Resolution is the size of the divisions on a measuring instrument. Range is the minimum to maximum values tested or measured.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Levi