ATP – Good Experimental Techniques/Practices

Good Experimental Techniques/Practices

Experiments involving Measuring Techniques
 Measuring Lengths:
 avoid parallax in reading (ruler) / view perpendicularly
 place ruler close to apparatus
 check for zero error in ruler. Zero of ruler must be at the edge of ruler. If not, then the space
between edge and zero mark is called ‘Dead Space’. In case of a dead space:
o coincide the zero mark of the ruler with the object whose length is to be measured
o measure the dead space using another ruler and add the dead space to get corrected
length/depth
 clamp ruler (if applicable)
 use a set square either side of a cylinder/sphere to measure diameter
 use a fiducial aid when measuring a length
 when measuring vertical heights ensure that the rule is held perpendicular to the base
 when measuring horizontal lengths ensure that rule is held at perfect horizontal level

How to measure Vertical heights/Make sure height is Vertical

o use of set-square described
o use of plumb line
o line up with any vertical object in room (such a wall)
o use of spirit level with explanation

How to make sure Horizontal alignment of a ruler:

o measures two ends (of ruler) from the bench (same height)
o use of spirit level
o align with horizontal object e.g. windowsill
o Use meter rule with a set square
How to measure long distances (several meters):
o use Pedometer
o use Trundle Wheel
o measure one pace and count paces
o tape measure with repeated use

How to measure length of a Pendulum accurately

o measure from support to the centre of bob (place rule closer to pendulum and avoid
parallax error in reading the rule)
o measure diameter of bob using micrometer and add ½ of diameter to length of thread
o measure from support to top and bottom of bob then average
o vertical rule + set-square described

What is a Fiducial Aid? Any object or Mark that helps visually in recording a measurement/data
A fiducial marker or fiducial is a fixed basis of reference or comparison
It is an object placed in the field of view for use as a point of reference or a measure. It may be either
something placed into or on the subject, or a mark or set of marks.
For Example: An object (such as a pencil) or a mark (with a marker) placed at the mean (middle)
position of an oscillating pendulum is a fiducial aid to ensure that we start and stop the stopwatch at
the right time.

 Measuring Time Period (of a Pendulum)

 for oscillations (of a pendulum or a vibrating object), you should be able to define a complete
oscillation
 time N oscillations, usually N > 20
 Time period T is given by: T = t / N
 explain how to use a fiducial aid (a mark) at the centre of the oscillation
 Start counting oscillations from centre rather than from extreme ends because the amplitude at
extreme ends will vary in each oscillation
Prepared By: Urooj Fatima
 ATP – Good Experimental Techniques/Practices
 Recording time using a stopwatch
 Note the precision/least count of the stopwatch and record the reading with correct precision. If
the stopwatch reads to a hundredth of a second then write complete reading for e.g: 9.24s not
just 9.0 or 9.2 and not 09:24 s
 To minimize human reaction error, two persons should be used in experiments involving
recording time. (Use of some signal to start/stop stopwatch )

 Recording level of liquid/water

 When Meniscus is Concave shaped (for water or any other colourless liquid)  LOWER
meniscus is read.
 When Meniscus is Convex shaped (for mercury)  UPPER meniscus is read.
 It is better to use test tube/cylinder/beakers made of Plastic than glass because:
o Plastic is less fragile and cheaper
o Plastic gives a flat meniscus which is easier to read/ parallax error is avoided

 Investigating motion of an object using a Ticker Tape

A ticker tape is a paper strip which is attached to a moving object. As the object moves, ticks
(dots) are marked on the strip at equal time interval, say every 0.20 seconds
 If the distance between dots is same, object is moving with uniform or constant speed
 If the distance between dots is increasing then object is accelerating
 If the distance between dots is decreasing then object is decelerating

Thermal/Heat Experiments
 General
 cover the container
 insulate the container/provide lagging (insulating layer around the container)
 stir to ensure uniform heating
 wait for highest or steady temperature after stopping heating
 choose volume/mass values of the quantities that give large changes in the temperature
 Where water bath is required, Use oil in the bath as oil has greater resistance and hence can
provide bigger range of temperature

 Thermometer handling
 thermometer in clamp stand
 thermometer with scale facing you
 clamp not obscuring the reading
 thermometer not touching the sides / bottom of test tube /
 ⅓ or ½ of thermometer immersed
 parallax avoided (in reading thermometer)

 Recording TIME during heating/cooling experiments

 Place timer close to apparatus / see both (Time & Temperature) together
 two people with explanation (e.g. count down)
 parallax avoided (in reading clock)

Prepared By: Urooj Fatima

 ATP – Good Experimental Techniques/Practices
Light Experiments
 Ray Tracing
 use fine/sharpened pencil or draw neat thin lines
 pins far apart/at least 5 cm apart
 Pins should be vertical
 bottom of pins should be viewed
 use large angles
 repeat with different angles/vary angle of incidence
 check protractor for zero error

When using Ray Box:

 use darkened room
 use narrow slit/narrow beam/ray of light
 ray/beam strikes the mirror in the centre

 Measuring Focal Length/ Using Lenses

 Ensure that each item is aligned so that the centre of each item is at the same height and on
the same horizontal straight line (ideally use the term optic axis)
o object and lens at same height (above bench)
o object and lens and screen perpendicular to bench / ruler
 place lens / screen close to ruler
 check for zero error on ruler
 Use darkened room (if an illuminated object is being used)
 move screen/object/lens backwards and forwards (until sharp image found)
 lens should be placed in lens holder
 if center of image (on screen) is above center of lens then Raise the object or screen or lower
the lens
 If center of image on screen is below center of lens then Lower the object or screen or raise the
lens
 use a fiducial aid to mark the middle of the lens on the bench/ruler
 try to use a translucent screen

Electrical Experiments
 General
 check for a zero error on meter
 tap the meter to avoid sticking
 always check that connections are clean and tight
 avoid parallax in reading meters
 always check polarities (terminals connected correct way round)
 switch off the current when not making a measurement.
 use more sensitive meters
 when measuring resistance use low currents/voltages to avoid heating and changing the
resistance you are measuring
 initially choose the highest range for the ammeter/voltmeter, then reduce the range for the
ammeter so that the deflection is almost full scale
 If current is too large
o Wire overheats/melts/burn
o Damages ammeter/ammeter needle gets burnt
o Fuses melt
o Power supply trips/battery runs out quickly

 Advantages of Digital Ammeter/Voltmeter over Analogue

 no parallax error
 needle does not stick
 easier to read / measure NOT easier to use
 easier to change range
 lower resistance

Prepared By: Urooj Fatima