Skip to main content

This link is exclusively for students and staff members within this organisation.

Unauthorised use will lead to account termination.

Previous

Electric and gravitational fields

Next

The periodic table

skillset

Magnetic force on a current-carrying wire

In this volume of PHYSICS REVIEW Skillset describes some of the practical activities suggested or required by the A-level awarding bodies, and discusses how they enable you to satisfy the Common Practical Assessment Criteria. Here Ian Lovat discusses investigating the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field

To satisfy the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC) for A-level physics, you need to demonstrate competence in the following areas: following written procedures; applying investigative approaches and methods; safely using equipment and materials; making and recording observations; and researching, planning and reporting (including data analysis).

The awarding bodies for A-level physics require or suggest a number of practical activities that will allow you to satisfy the CPAC. Among other requirements, these expect you to be able to make accurate observations relevant to the experiment, to obtain accurate, precise and sufficient data, and to record these methodically using correct units and conventions. You should also be able to use ICT with appropriate sensors to make measurements, and software to process data. Measuring the force on a current-carrying wire gives an excellent opportunity to practise all these skills.

Your organisation does not have access to this article.

Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise

Subscribe

Previous

Electric and gravitational fields

Next

The periodic table

Related articles: