The two possible methods for measuring latent heats shown below are very similar in principle to the methods for measuring specific heat capacities. [Read about FAQs of Latent Heat] A method for measuring the specific latent heat of vaporisation of water The setup required for a method for measuring the latent heat of vaporization is […]
Physics Lab_21
Measuring the resistance of a component – different ways
In this post, we are going to discuss different ways of measuring the resistance of a component. Resistance is defined as R = V/I. This obviously gives ways of measuring resistance, as in the circuits shown below. Each of the first 2 methods listed below uses both an ammeter and a voltmeter. And, the third […]
How to find resistance using Resistor Colour Codes
Small resistors use coloured or painted bands which represent their resistive value and tolerance. These coloured painted bands produce a system of identification generally known as a Resistors Colour Code. The physical size of the resistor indicates its wattage rating. Resistor Colour Code Table There are two types of resistor colour coding systems, the four-band […]
Measuring frequency & voltage of an Alternating Current (AC) with CRO
An oscilloscope can be used to measure the frequency and voltage of an alternating current. There are two types of oscilloscopes. The traditional cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) uses an electron beam. The alternative is a digital oscilloscope, which is likely to be much more compact and which can store data and display the traces later. Practical […]
The Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment
Robert Millikan measured e, the magnitude of the elementary charge on an electron, and demonstrated the quantized nature of this charge with the help of a brilliant set of experiments from 1909 to 1913. The experiment is known as The Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment. His apparatus, diagrammed in Figure 1, contains two parallel metallic plates. Oil […]
The oscilloscope & its signal attribute, AC and DC graph
An oscilloscope is an instrument used to investigate electrical signals. The screen of the oscilloscope displays a trace of the electrical signal and in almost all cases this is a graph of potential difference versus time.
Physics Lab: investigation to determine a value for acceleration due to gravity (g) using pendulum motion
This post is on Physics Lab work for performing a first-hand investigation to determine a value of acceleration due to gravity (g) using pendulum motion. This experiment is discussed extensively in order to provide an example of how students should approach experiments and how experimental data should be processed. [Caution: Students are suggested to consult […]
How to measure universal gravitational constant | Measurement of G
Henry Cavendish first measured the universal gravitational constant G in 1798. The apparatus used is shown in Figure 1. Other experimenters repeated Cavendish’s measurement of G with various improvements and refinements. All measurements of G are found to be difficult because of the extreme weakness of the gravitational attraction. Setup of Henry Cavendish to measure […]
How to Determine g in laboratory | Value of acceleration due to gravity – determination in Lab
We will see here how to determine g in the laboratory. g is the symbol of acceleration due to gravity. The basic idea behind determining g in the laboratory is to drop a ball over a known distance and record the time of its descent. The challenge is that the descent happens very quickly. The […]
Extension-Load graph of Spring with Lab set-up and Analysis of the graph
The Extension-Load graph – How to prepare the Lab set-up required to do this graph plotting | interpret an extension-load graph of a spring
