physics stpm experiment 12

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Shop Experiment Static and Kinetic Friction Experiments​

Static and kinetic friction.

Experiment #12 from Physics with Vernier

Video Overview

Introduction

If you try to slide a heavy box resting on the floor, you may find it difficult to get the box moving. Static friction is the force that counters your force on the box. If you apply a light horizontal push that does not move the box, the static friction force is also small and directly opposite to your push. If you push harder, the friction force increases to match the magnitude of your push. There is a limit to the magnitude of static friction, so eventually you may be able to apply a force larger than the maximum static force, and the box will move. The maximum static friction force is sometimes referred to as starting friction . We model static friction, F static , with the inequality F static ≤ µ s N where µ s is the coefficient of static friction and N is the normal force exerted by a surface on the object. The normal force is defined as the perpendicular component of the force exerted by the surface. In this case, the normal force is equal to the weight of the object.

Once the box starts to slide, you must continue to exert a force to keep the object moving, or friction will slow it to a stop. The friction acting on the box while it is moving is called kinetic friction . In order to slide the box with a constant velocity, a force equivalent to the force of kinetic friction must be applied. Kinetic friction is sometimes referred to as sliding friction . Both static and kinetic friction depend on the surfaces of the box and the floor, and on how hard the box and floor are pressed together. We model kinetic friction with F kinetic = µ k N , where µ k is the coefficient of kinetic friction.

In this experiment, you will use a Dual-Range Force Sensor to study static friction and kinetic friction on a wooden block. A Motion Detector will also be used to analyze the kinetic friction acting on a sliding block.

• Use a Dual-Range Force Sensor to measure the force of static and kinetic friction.
• Determine the relationship between force of static friction and the weight of an object.
• Measure the coefficients of static and kinetic friction for a particular block and track.
• Use a Motion Detector to independently measure the coefficient of kinetic friction and compare it to the previously measured value.
• Determine if the coefficient of kinetic friction depends on weight.

Sensors and Equipment

This experiment features the following sensors and equipment. Additional equipment may be required.

Correlations

Teaching to an educational standard? This experiment supports the standards below.

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This experiment is #12 of Physics with Vernier . The experiment in the book includes student instructions as well as instructor information for set up, helpful hints, and sample graphs and data.

COURSEWORK PAGE

STUDENT'S MANUAL OF PHYSICS COURSEWORK

MANUAL PHYSICS 2023

MANUAL PHYSICS 202 4

MANUAL PHYSICS 2025

PRACTICAL WORK REPORT

EXPERIMENT 6

EXPERIMENT 7

EXPERIMENT 8

EXPERIMENT 9

EXPERIMENT 10

An Overview Of STPM Physics Course Structure

29 November 2023

7 minutes to read

• 01. Topics Taught During Semester 1: Mechanics & Thermodynamics
• 02. Topics Taught During Semester 2: Electricity & Magnetism
• 03. Topics Taught During Semester 3: Oscillations and Waves, Optics & Modern Physics
• 04. Examination Structure For STPM Physics Central Assessments (Written Test)
• 05. School-Based Assessments (Physics Experiments and Project) & Written Practical Test (Private Candidates)

Did you read about the story of Bryan Lim, a Sarawakian student who intends to pursue his interest in Physics up to PhD level upon scoring straight As for his STPM in 2021?

It certainly served as a great inspiration and encouragement for many future STPM candidates.

With the right comprehension of the subjects, we believe you can ace your STPM exams including the STPM Physics subject like your fellow senior, Bryan Lim.

In this article, we will guide you through all the taught topics and the latest exam format for your STPM Physics papers.

Topics Taught During Semester 1: Mechanics & Thermodynamics

We are starting Semester 1 with a full focus on quantity and quality for your STPM Physics subject.

You will study the following 11 chapters.

• Chapter 1: Physical quantities and units [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about base quantities and SI units, dimensions of physical quantities, scalars and vectors as well as uncertainties in measurements.

• Chapter 2: Kinematics [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study various learning outcomes under the subtopics of linear motion and projectiles.

• Chapter 3: Dynamics [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will be taught Newton's laws of motion, linear momentum and its conservation, elastic and inelastic collisions, centre of mass, and frictional forces.

• Chapter 4: Work, Energy and Power [ 5 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about the relationship between work and force, the various calculations revolving potential energy and kinetic energy as well as the concept of power.

• Chapter 5: Circular Motion [ 8 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study about the characteristics and formulas revolving around concepts such as angular displacement and angular velocity, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.

• Chapter 6: Gravitation [10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational field, gravitational potential, satellite motion in a circular orbit as well as escape velocity.

• Chapter 7: Statics [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study about centre of gravity, the equilibrium of particles, as well as the equilibrium of rigid bodies.

• Chapter 8: Deformation of solids [5 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about the concept of stress and strain for a stretched wire/ elastic string, the properties of force-extension graph and stress-strain graph as well as the concept of strain energy.

• Chapter 9: Kinetic Theory of Gases [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the ideal gas equation, the pressure of a gas, molecular kinetic energy, the r.m.s speed of molecules, the degrees of freedom and law of equipartition of energy, and the internal energy of an ideal gas.

• Chapter 10: Thermodynamics of Gases [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about heat capacities, the work done by a gas, the first law of thermodynamics, as well as the concept of isothermal and adiabatic changes.

• Chapter 11: Heat Transfer [ 10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the mechanism of heat conduction, heat transfer by convection, heat transfer by radiation and also the concept of the greenhouse effect alongside global warming. 

Topics Taught During Semester 2: Electricity & Magnetism

Starting from the second semester onwards, you will study 7 chapters per semester.

• Chapter 12: Electrostatics [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn to apply Coulomb's law, the concept of an electric field, Gauss's law, and also the concept of electric potential.

• Chapter 13: Capacitors [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the mechanism of capacitance, parallel plate capacitors, dielectrics, capacitors in series and in parallel, energy stored in a charged capacitor, and the charging and discharging of a capacitor.

• Chapter 14: Electric Current [10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will master the concept of the condition of electricity, drift velocity, current density, as well as electric conductivity and resistivity.

• Chapter 15: Direct Current Circuit [ 14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn concepts and applications of concepts such as internal resistance, Kirchhoff's laws, potential divider, potentiometer and Wheatstone bridge.

• Chapter 16: Magnetic Fields [ 18 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concept of magnetic field, force on a moving charge, force on a current-carrying conductor, magnetic fields due to currents, the force between two current-carrying conductors, determination of the ratio e/m, and the Hall effect.

• Chapter 17: Electromagnetic Induction [18 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the concepts of magnetic flux, Faraday's law and Lenz's law, self-induction, energy stored in an inductor and mutual induction.

• Chapter 18: Alternating Current Circuits [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concept of alternating current through a resistor, alternating current through an inductor, alternating current through a capacitor as well as the application of R-C and R-L circuits in series.

Read through these tips to ace your STPM Physics papers throughout the semesters.

Topics Taught During Semester 3: Oscillations and Waves, Optics & Modern Physics

We now move to the last seven chapters that you will learn for your final semester.

• Chapter 19: Oscillations [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the characteristics of simple harmonic motion, the kinematics of simple harmonic motion, energy in simple harmonic motion, systems in simple harmonic motion, damped oscillations, and forced oscillations and resonance.

• Chapter 20: Wave Motion [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study progressive waves, wave intensity, the principle of superposition, standing waves, and electromagnetic waves.

• Chapter 21: Sound Waves [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the propagation of sound waves, the sources of sound, the intensity level of sound, beat, and the Doppler effect.

• Chapter 22: Geometrical Optics [ 8 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concepts of spherical mirrors, refraction at spherical surfaces, and thin lenses.

• Chapter 23: Wave Optics [16 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the Huygens's principle, the concept of interference, the two-slit interference pattern, the interference in a thin film, the diffraction by a single slit, diffraction gratings, polarisation, and optical waveguides.

• Chapter 24: Quantum Physics [20 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concepts of photons, wave-particle quality, atomic structure, X-rays, and nanoscience.

• Chapter 25: Nuclear Physics [ 14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about everything revolving around the nucleus energy such as mass defect and binding energy, everything about radioactivity as well as the discussion about various nuclear reactions.

Check out and apply these revision resources for your STPM Physics subject .

Examination Structure For STPM Physics Central Assessments (Written Test)

At the end of every semester, you will sit for a written test for your STPM Physics Paper.

There are three sections for this paper. The test duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

There are compulsory 15 multiple-choice questions in this section. The mark allocation is 15%.

For this section, there are 2 compulsory structured questions to be answered. The mark allocation for this section is also 15%.

Candidates need to answer 2 out of 3 essay questions for this section. The mark allocation is 30%.

Hence, the total mark for your STPM Physics written test is 60%, which will later be rounded off to 26.67% (weightage) during the final grade calculation.

Discover the latest marking scheme for your STPM Physics papers.

School-Based Assessments (Physics Experiments and Project) & Written Practical Test (Private Candidates)

Apart from the STPM Physics written test, candidates will also go through school-based assessments during the three terms.

There will be 13 compulsory experiments (throughout the three semesters) and one group project (carried out during the third semester in groups of two or three candidates).

Important tip: The full mark of your entire school-based assessment is 225 mark, which will later be scaled to 45 mark.

It will then be rounded off to 20% as the total weightage for this assessment.

During the first term of your Form Six studies, you can download the student's manual for practical physics from the official portal of the Malaysian Examination Council (MEC).

You will be supplied with a work scheme before the day of the experiment so that you can plan your practical work.

Besides the success of completing each practical experiment, candidates will be tested on the following skills:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Adaptability/ flexibility
• Communications
• Moral and ethics 
• Information communications and technology
• Organising 
• Leadership 

Discover the benefits of learning and mastering the STPM Physics subject .

For private candidates, you will sit for the written Practical Test instead of doing the school-based practical experiments.

It is a central assessment whereby candidates need to answer three compulsory structured questions during the third term.

The test duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the total mark allocation is 45 marks, which will be covered to 20% (weightage).

Candidates will be tested on the following criteria:

• Their ability to record readings from diagrams of apparatus
• Their ability to describe, explain, suggest, design or comment on experimental arrangements, techniques and procedures
• Their ability to complete tables of data and plot graphs
• Their ability to interpret, conclude from, and evaluate observations and experimental data
• Their ability to recognise the limitations of experiments and sources of results
• Their ability to explain the effect of errors on experimental results 
• Their ability to suggest precautions or safety measures 
• Their ability to explain the theoretical basis of experiments 
• Their ability to use theory to explain or predict experimental results 
• Their ability to perform simple calculations and error analysis based on experiments 

Master Your Theoretical & Practical Knowledge In STPM Physics With Superprof

You should realise by now that the STPM Physics syllabus is comprehensive and holistic, covering both the theoretical and practical elements of this subject.

Connect with an experienced Physics tutor at Superprof today to take your Physics passion to the next level!

At Superprof, you can enjoy a personalised, flexible and affordable learning experience.

You get to choose your STPM Physics tutor based on your preferred teaching methodology, learning mode (home tutoring/ online tutoring), tutors' teaching experience and even maximum budget for the hourly rate.

The whole navigation process at the Superprof website is super user-friendly and efficient. With a few clicks, you can hire an experienced Physics tutor and start your learning journey.

We hope you have found this article useful. May you embark on a wonderful Physics exploration journey during your Form Six studies.

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• 3. Projectile Motion Experiment
• Module 5 Questions
• Module 6 Questions
• Module 7 Questions
• Module 8 Questions

Resources Year 12 Physics

Year 12 Physics Practical Investigation | Projectile Motion Experiment

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Sample Physics Practical Assessment Task: Projectile Motion Experiment

Projectile motion experiment is used by most schools for their first Physics practical assessment task. This is because most Projectile Motion practical investigation is relatively easy to design and conduct by students.

A typical Projectile Motion practical assessment task used by schools is outlined below.

In this sample practical assessment task, we are required to investigate the relationship between the range s_x and the launch velocity of a projectile released from an elevated position.

Let’s apply the scientific method to design and conduct a practical investigation for the assessment task outlined above.

Sample Physics Practical Report

The simplest type of projectile motion is a ball being projected horizontally from an elevated position.

In this situation, the range of a projectile is dependent on the time of flight and the horizontal velocity. Hence this experiment is based on the equation s_x=u_xt .

To express the time of flight t in terms of the acceleration due to gravity, we analyse the vertical motion of the projectile

s_y=u_yt+\frac{1}{2}at^2

-h=0+\frac{1}{2}(-g)t^2

t^2=\frac{2h}{g}

t=\sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}}

Hence the range of a projectile can be expressed in terms of the horizontal velocity and the other control variables such as y and g by substituting t=\sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}} expression into s_x=u_xt :

s_x = u_x \times (\sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}})

\therefore s_x = (\sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}}) u_x

2. Variables

Before designing your investigation, all the variables need to be identified.

• Independent variable: Horizontal launch velocity u_x
• Dependent variable: Range \Delta x
• Control variables: Height of the table y , acceleration due to gravity g , the shape of the projectile

Keeping the control variables constant allows the experiment to be more valid.

To learn more about how to improve the validity of your experiment, read the Matrix blog on ‘ Validity, Reliability and Accuracy of Experiments ‘

To determine the relationship between the range of a projectile \Delta x  and its horizontal launch velocity  u_x and use the results to calculate the acceleration due to gravity  g .

• A smooth metal ball is placed at the top of the ramp, and the vertical distance from the ball to the table is measured.
• The ball is rolled down and timed along the 1 \ m horizontal length using a stopwatch. The time is recorded.
• The distance from the foot of the table to its landing point on the carbon paper is observed, measured and recorded.
• Steps 1-4 are then repeated at different heights up the ramp.

The results are given in the table below. Using the times taken for the ball to travel 1 metre. Data collected from the experiment is highlighted in blue.

6. Quantitative Analysis of Results: Graphs and calculations

Calculate the horizontal velocity of the ball as it leaves the table and hence complete the table.

Plot the range of the ball \Delta x against the launch velocity u_x and draw in the line of best fit. 

• The range of the ball is plotted against the horizontal launch velocity.

• A line of best fit is drawn.

Determine the relationship between the launch velocity u_x and the range of the ball \Delta x  and hence discuss its significance

• The relationship between the launch velocity and the range of the ball is linear.  The range of the ball is directly proportional to the horizontal launch velocity: s_x = u_x \times t
• The linear relationship implies that the horizontal launch velocity affects the range but not the time taken to fall from a fixed height. Therefore horizontal and vertical motions are independent of each other.
• This also validates the results expected from the equations of projectile motion.

Use the gradient to find the acceleration due to gravity

7. Qualitative Analysis: Evaluation of method and errors

Let’s investigate the errors, reliability and accuracy of this experiment.

Access our library of Physics Practical Investigations.

Written by DJ Kim

DJ is the founder of Learnable and has a passionate interest in education and technology. He is also the author of Physics resources on Learnable.

Learnable Education and www.learnable.education, 2019. Unauthorised use and/or duplications of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Learnable Education and www.learnable.education with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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