AQA practicals Physics – I.V. characteristics in circuits

Details
Use circuit diagrams to construct appropriate circuits to investigate the I–V characteristics of a variety of circuit elements including a filament lamp, a diode and a resistor at constant temperature.

Techniques:
Use appropriate apparatus to measure current and potential difference and to explore the characteristics of a variety of circuit elements.
Use circuit diagrams to construct and check series and parallel circuits including a variety of common circuit elements.

Skills:

Use scientific theories and explanations to develop hypotheses.
Plan experiments or devise procedures to make observations, produce or characterise a substance, test hypotheses, check data or explore phenomena.
Apply a knowledge of a range of techniques, instruments, apparatus, and materials to select those appropriate to the experiment.
Carry out experiments appropriately having due regard for the correct manipulation of apparatus, the accuracy of measurements and health and safety considerations.
Recognise when to apply a knowledge of sampling techniques to ensure any samples collected are representative.
Make and record observations and measurements using a range of apparatus and methods.
Evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements and further investigations.
Present observations and other data using appropriate methods.
Translate data from one form to another.
Carry out and represent mathematical and statistical analysis.
Represent the distribution of results and make estimations of uncertainty.
Interpret observations and other data (presented in verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, symbolic or numerical form), including identifying patterns and trends, making inferences and drawing
conclusions.
Present reasoned explanations including relating data to hypotheses.
Be objective, evaluate data in terms of accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility and identify potential sources of random and systematic error.
Communicate the scientific rationale for investigations, methods used, findings and reasoned conclusions through written and electronic reports and presentations using verbal, diagrammatic,
Graphical, numerical and symbolic forms.
Recognise the importance of scientific quantities and understand how they are determined.
Use SI units (eg kg, g, mg; km, m, mm; kJ, J) and IUPAC chemical nomenclature unless inappropriate.
Use an appropriate number of significant figures in calculation.
Use an appropriate number of significant figures.
Use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables.
Understand that y = mx + c represents a linear relationship.
Plot two variables from experimental or other data.

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