eDP 2020

DP024 Lab Manual

We have

refer to Figure 2.1 (a)

refer to Figure 2.1 (b)

refer to Figure 2.1 (c)

where  = wavelength of the wave. Note that  and f is the same
for all the three resonances.

In this experiment, we restrict our observation to the quarter-wave,

4 resonance because it is the easiest to detect.

If l is the length of the air column when resonance occurs, f is
frequency of the sound waves and c is the end correction, we have

2.1

where the speed of sound, v = λ f

Therefore,  

l  v 1  c 2.2
4 f 2.3

Experimentally, equation 4.2 become

l  v  1   c
4 f

Where c is end correction.

Updated: 12/3/2020 29

DP024 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
A resonance tube
A loudspeaker (diameter about 5 cm)
A metre rule
A retort stand with two clamps
A rubber tube of at least 1.2 m in length
A filter funnel
A signal generator
A rubber stopper with glass tube

Procedure:
a) Set up the apparatus as in Figure 2.2.

c loudspeaker
metre rule
resonance
tube 
plastic
coloured bottle
water
rubber tube

signal Figure 2.2
generator 30

(f)
Updated: 12/3/2020

DP024 Lab Manual

b) Set the frequency of the signal generator at 600 Hz and hold the
loudspeaker near the open end of the tube.

c) Adjust the length of the air column inside the resonance tube
until resonance occurs which is marked by the increase in sound
level. Measure the length of the air column in the tube, l.

d) Repeat steps (b) and (c) for at least 6 different frequencies, 600
Hz to 1200 Hz.

e) Construct a table for values of l, f, and 1 . Then plot a graph of
f

l against 1 .
f

f) Explain why does the graph did not pass through the origin.

g) From your graph, determine the values of v and c.
h) Compare the speed of sound waves in step (f) with the

standard value calculated from v = (331.5 + 0.6T) m s-1
where T is the room temperature in o C.

Alternative set-up:

resonance tube movable
piston

loudspeaker 

c metre rule
31
signal
generator

(f)
Updated: 12/3/2020

DP024 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
A resonance tube
A loudspeaker (diameter about 5 cm)
A metre rule
A signal generator
A piston
Visual analyzer software (download from internet – open source)

Updated: 12/3/2020 32

DP024 Lab Manual

EXPERIMENT 3: OHM’S LAW

Course Learning Objective: Demonstrate manipulative skills during
experiments in simple harmonic motion, sound waves, capacitor, Ohm’s
law, magnetism and geometrical optics in laboratory.
(P3, CLO2, PLO 2, MQF LOD 2)

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, students should be able
to verify Ohm’s law and to determine the equivalent resistance of the
resistors arranged in series and parallel.

Student Learning Time (SLT):
Face-to-face Non face-to-face
2 hours 0

Theory:

At constant temperature the potential difference, V across a conductor
is directly proportional to the current, I that flows through it. The
constant of proportionality is known as resistance of the conductor
denoted by R. Mathematically,

VI

V = IR 3.1

For resistors in series, the equivalent resistance is

R = R1 + R2 + R3 + … 3.2

For resistors in parallel, the equivalent resistance is

1  1  1  1  ... 3.3
R R1 R2 R3

Updated: 12/3/2020 33

DP024 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
A DC power supply (4 – 6 V)
Three carbon resistors (27 -100 )
A DC milliammeter
A DC ammeter (1 A)
A DC voltmeter
A resistance box
A switch
Connecting wires of about 50 cm long with crocodile clips
Two connecting blocks for connecting the resistors
A screw driver to loosen or tighten the connecting blocks

Procedure:

a) Determine the resistance of each resistor from their colour bands.

b) Set up the circuit as in Figure 3.1 where the resistors are
connected in series.

Resistance Box S

mA
R1 R2 R3

V
Figure 3.1

c) Change the resistance value in the resistance box to get a
minimum reading in the milliammeter. Record the reading of the
voltmeter, V and the milliammeter, I.

Updated: 12/3/2020 34

DP024 Lab Manual

d) Change the resistance value in the resistance box to obtain at
least five different values of V and I.

e) Plot a graph of V against I.

f) From the graph, verify Ohm’s law and deduce the effective
resistance.

g) Compare the value of effective resistance obtained with the
calculated value.

h) Set up the circuit as in Figure 3.2 where the resistors are
connected in parallel.

i) Repeat steps (c) to (f).

j) Compare the value of effective resistance obtained with the
calculated value.

Resistance Box S

A
R1

R2
R3

V

Figure 3.2

Updated: 12/3/2020 35

DP024 Lab Manual

EXPERIMENT 4: CAPACITOR

Course Learning Objective: Demonstrate manipulative skills during
experiments in simple harmonic motion, sound waves, capacitor, Ohm’s
law, magnetism and geometrical optics in laboratory.
(P3, CLO2, PLO 2, MQF LOD 2)

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, students should be able
to determine the time constant of an RC circuit.

Student Learning Time (SLT):
Face-to-face Non face-to-face
2 hours 0

Theory:

The total charge, Q on each plate of a capacitor during the charging
and discharging processes varies with time, t as shown in Figure 4.1.

Charging Discharging
Q Q

Qo Qo
0.63Qo
0.37Qo τ t
0τ t0

Figure 4.1 1.1
During the charging process

Q = Qo (1  e-t/ )

Updated: 12/3/2020 36

DP024 Lab Manual

During the discharging process

Q = Qoe-t/ 1.2

where Qo is the initial amount of charge stored in a capacitor
Q is the amount of charge at time t
R is the resistance of a resistor
C is the capacitance of a capacitor
τ = RC is the time constant

During discharging, the magnitude of the current I varies with time as
shown in Figure 4.2.

I τ t
0.37Io

Io

Figure 4.2

From equation 1.2, the magnitude of the discharge current is

I = Ioe-t 1.3

Evidently at time t = , the magnitude of the discharge current is
0.37Io. Negative sign shows the current flows in opposite direction to
that of the current flows during the charging process.

Updated: 12/3/2020 37

DP024 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
A DC power supply (4 – 6 V)
A switch
A DC microammeter
A stopwatch
A 100 k resistor
Connecting wires
A capacitor labelled C1 (470 – 1000 F)

Procedure:
Note: Before starting or repeating this experiment, make sure that the

capacitors are fully discharged. This can be attained by short
circuiting the capacitors.

S 6V

A C1

R
Figure 4.3
a) Set up the circuit as shown in Figure 4.3 with switch S opened.
b) Read the microammeter for Io with switch S closed and record Io.
c) Open switch S and short circuit the capacitor using a connecting
wire so that the capacitor is fully discharged.

Updated: 12/3/2020 38

DP024 Lab Manual

d) Close switch S again to charge the capacitor so that the
microammeter reading is back to Io.

e) Simultaneously open switch S and start the stopwatch to measure
the time t of discharging process. Get at least six to eight pairs of
current I and time t readings throughout the discharging process
until the current is about 0.05Io.

f) Tabulate the values for both I and t.
g) Plot graph of I against t.
h) From the graph, determine the time constant .
i) Compare value from step (8) with the actual value using =RC.

Updated: 12/3/2020 39

DP024 Lab Manual

EXPERIMENT 5: MAGNETISM

Course Learning Objective: Demonstrate manipulative skills during
experiments in simple harmonic motion, sound waves, capacitor, Ohm’s
law, magnetism and geometrical optics in laboratory.
(P3, CLO2, PLO 2, MQF LOD 2)

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, students should be able
to determine the value of the horizontal component of the earth
magnetic field, BE.

Student Learning Time (SLT):
Face-to-face Non face-to-face
2 hours 0

Theory:


The magnetic field strength (intensity), B is a vector quantity,
therefore the addition of two magnetic fields obeys the parallelogram
law. For example, if BE is the horizontal component of earth’s
magnetic field and Bs is the magnetic field of a solenoid which is
perpendicular to BE , then the resultant of the two fields is shown in
Figure 5.1. If a compass needle is situated at the place where the two
fields meet, it will be aligned to the direction of the resultant field, B .

 
Bs B

θ
BE

Figure 5.1

Figure 5.2 shows the direction of magnetic field of a solenoid
carrying current.

Updated: 12/3/2020 40

DP024 Lab Manual

L


Bs

I

Figure 6.2

The magnetic field strength at the end of the solenoid is given by

Bs  1  o NI  6.1
2 L

where,
μo  4π 107 H m1 (free space permeability constant)

N = number of turns
L = length of solenoid
I = current

From Figure 5.1,

tan  Bs  1   N I
BE 2 L
6.2
BE

The gradient of graph tan against I is

 1 o  N  6.3
2 L 6.4
m
BE

Therefore, 1
2
BE  o N

Lm

Updated: 12/3/2020 41

DP024 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
A 50 turns solenoid
A 2 V accumulator or power supply
A DC ammeter (0 – 1 A)
A switch
3 connecting wires
A rheostat
A compass

Procedure:

solenoid  
BE B

L

I N θ
Bs

compass

rheostat

A
S

Figure 5.3

Updated: 12/3/2020 42

DP024 Lab Manual

a) Measure the length of the solenoid, L.

b) Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 5.3. The ammeter must
be at least 50 cm away from the solenoid.

c) Place a compass at the opening end of the solenoid with the north
perpendicular to the axis of the solenoid.

d) Set the rheostat to its maximum value and switch on the circuit.
Record the readings of the ammeter, I and the angle of
deflection, θ1.

e) Reduce the resistance of rheostat to increase the current, I and
record the corresponding value of θ1. Obtain at least six sets of
readings and tabulate in Table 5.1.

f) Change the polarity of the power supply and repeat step (d) and
(e) for θ2.

Table 5.1

No. Current, I θ1 θ 2 Average tan θ A
(A) (°) (°) θA(°)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

g) Plot a graph of tan θ against I.

h) From the graph determine the value of the horizontal component
of the earth magnetic field, BE.

Updated: 12/3/2020 43

DP024 Lab Manual

EXPERIMENT 6: GEOMETRICAL OPTICS

Course Learning Objective: Demonstrate manipulative skills during
experiments in simple harmonic motion, sound waves, capacitor, Ohm’s
law, magnetism and geometrical optics in laboratory.
(P3, CLO2, PLO 2, MQF LOD 2)
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, students should be able
to determine the focal length of a convex lens.

Student Learning Time (SLT):
Face-to-face Non face-to-face
2 hours 0

Theory:

From the lens equation,

1  1  1 6.1
f u v

where,
f = focal length
u = object distance
v = image distance

Multiply Equation 1.1 with v, gives

v  v 1
f u

m   v 1 6.2
f

where m height of image   hi v is the linear magnification.
height of object ho u

Negative sign indicates that the image is inverted.

Equation 6.2 shows that m is proportional to v.

Updated: 12/3/2020 44

DP024 Lab Manual

When v  2 f , m = −1.
Hence, the graph m against v is a straight line graph.
Apparatus:
A convex lens
A piece of card with narrow triangle shaped slit
A screen
A light source
A metre rule
A lens holder
Plasticine

Procedure:
a) Use the convex lens to focus a distant object such as a tree

outside the laboratory on a screen. The distance between the
screen and the lens is the estimated focal length, f of the lens.

light source cardboard with screen
narrow triangular slit hi

lens

ho

lens holder

power supply u v
DC

Figure 6.1
6.1

Updated: 12/3/2020 45

DP024 Lab Manual

b) Set up the apparatus as in Figure 6.1.
c) Measure and record the height, ho of the triangular slit on the

cardboard. This is the height of the object for this experiment.
d) Place the object in front of the lens at a suitable distance

(f < u < 2 f) and adjust the position of the screen so that a sharp
image is projected on the screen.
e) Measure and record the object distance u, the image distance v
and the height of the sharp image hi.
f) Calculate the magnification of the image.
g) Change the location of the object. Repeat steps (e) and (f) for six
sets of u, v and m.
h) Plot a graph of m against v.
i) From the graph, determine the focal length of the lens, f1.
j) Read the image distance, v from the graph when m = −1 and
determine the focal length, f2 of the lens.
k) Compare the values of f , f1 and f2. Write your comments.

Updated: 12/3/2020 46

REFERENCES
Bueche, F.J. Introduction to Physics for Scientists and Engineers. (4th

Edition) McGraw-Hill, New York. 1986.
Crummett, W.P. & Western, A.B. University Physics Models and

Applications. Wm. C. Brown Pub. 1994.
Giambattista, Richardson, Richardson. College Physics. International Edition,

McGraw-Hill, Inc. 2004.
Giancoli, D., C. Physics – Principles with Application. (6th Edition) Prentice

Hall. 2009.
Haliday, Resnick & Walker. Fundamental of Physics, Extended. (6th Edition)

Tear Walker Johns Wiley & Sons Inc. 2000.
Hewitt, P.G. Conceptual Physics. (11th Edition) Addison-Wesley. 2009.
Nelkon, M. & Parker, P. Advanced Level Physics. Heinemann Educational

Books Ltd, London. 1975.
Poh Liong Yong, Nagappan, Lim Swee Cheng. Kursus Sains Fajar Bakti –

Fizik STPM Jilid 1 & 2. Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd. 1998.
Serway, R.A., Jewett, J.A. Physics for Scientists and Engineers. (6th Edition)

International Student Edition, Thomson, Rooks/Cole Inc. USA. 2004.
Young, Freedman. University Physics Extended Version with Modern

Physics. (11th Edition) Addison-Wesley. 2003.

47

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Matriculation Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia wish to thank
everyone who has contributed in shaping and writing this PHYSICS
LABORATORY MANUAL (4th Edition) for the Two Year Matriculation
Programme. Special thanks go to those for their many valuable suggestions
and conscientiousness in completing this manual.
Dr. Hajah Rosnarizah binti Abdul Halim
Director of Matriculation Division
Dr. Shah Jahan bin Assanarkutty
Deputy Director of Matriculation Division (Academic)
Mohd Junaidi bin Abd Aziz
Senior Principal Assistant Director
Matriculation Division

Reviewers for the Fourth Edition
 Dr. Ariffin bin Abas, Kolej Matrikulasi Johor
 Nor Ezah binti Jamaluddin, Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang
 Salmah binti Othman, Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka
 Mohd. Yusfi bin Md. Yusop, Kolej Matrikulasi Selangor
 Bibi Aishah binti Roslan, Bahagian Matrikulasi KPM
 Azmajura binti Abdul Rahim @ Arifin, Bahagian Matrikulasi KPM
 Sulha binti Alias, Bahagian Matrikulasi KPM
 Aifaa binti Awang Kechik, Bahagian Matrikulasi KPM

48