Coursework A - The 30 Mandatory Experiments
Learn the experiment details... but more importantly... Understand how they explain the World around you.
Watch a summary of all the experiments by clicking here or study each one in detail below the videos
Watch a summary of all the experiments by clicking here or study each one in detail below the videos
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Separating Mixtures
OC2 separate mixtures using a variety of techniques: filtration, evaporation, distillation and paper chromatography.
OC32 carry out a simple distillation, and obtain a sample of water from sea-water
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Growing Crystals
OC15 investigate the solubility of a variety of substances in water and the effect of temperature on solubility.
OC16 examine the difference between a dilute, concentrated and saturated solution
OC17 grow crystals using alum or copper sulfate
Acids and Bases and the pH Scale
OC18 use litmus or a universal indicator to test a variety of solutions, and classify these as acidic, basic or neutral
OC19 investigate the pH of a variety of materials using the pH scale
pH
Components of the Atmosphere
OC22 show that approximately one fifth of the air is oxygen; show that there is CO2 and water vapour in air
Percentage Oxygen |
Presence of Carbon dioxide |
Presence of Water |
Oxygen
OC24 prepare a sample of oxygen by decomposing H2O2 using MnO2 as a catalyst (word equation and chemical equation)
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
OC27 prepare carbon dioxide (word equation and chemical equation), and show that it does not support combustion
Carbon Dioxide
Hydrogen
OC51 investigate the reaction between zinc and HCl, and test for hydrogen (word equation and chemical equation)
Hydrogen
Water, Dissolved Solids and Hardness
OC30 conduct a qualitative experiment to detect the presence of dissolved solids in water samples, and test water for hardness (soap test)
Dissolved Solids in Water |
Water Hardness |
Acid/Base Titrations
OC38 titrate HCl against NaOH, and prepare a sample of NaCl
Titration
Rusting
OC46 carry out an experiment to demonstrate that oxygen and water are necessary for rusting
Rusting
Density and Flotation
OP2 measure mass and volume of a variety of solids and liquids and hence determine their densities
Regular solids |
Irregular solids |
Liquids |
Hooke's Law
OP6 investigate the relationship between the extension of a spring and the applied force
Springs
Energy Conversions
OP20 identify different forms of energy and carry out simple experiments to show the following energy conversions:
OP21 give examples of energy conversion from everyday experience.
- chemical energy to electrical energy to heat energy
- electrical energy to magnetic energy to kinetic energy
- light energy to electrical energy to kinetic energy
OP21 give examples of energy conversion from everyday experience.
Energy Conversions
Expansion and Contraction
OP23 investigate and describe the expansion of solids, liquids and gases when heated, and contraction when cooled
Expansion
Conduction, Convection and Radiation
OP31 carry out simple experiments to show the transfer of heat energy by conduction, convection and radiation; investigate conduction and convection in water
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Light and Shadows
OP34 show that light travels in straight lines and explain how shadows are formed
Light
Reflection of Light
OP38 investigate the reflection of light by plane mirrors, and illustrate this using ray diagrams; demonstrate and explain the operation of a simple periscope
Reflections
Magnetism
OP46 plot the magnetic field of a bar magnet
Magnets
Conductors and Insulators
OP49 test electrical conduction in a variety of materials, and classify each material as a conductor or insulator
Conductors and Insulators
Ohms Law V=IR
OP50 set up a simple electric circuit, use appropriate instruments to measure current, potential difference (voltage) and resistance, and establish the relationship between them
Ohm's Law
Food Tests
OB3 carry out qualitative food tests for starch, reducing sugar, protein and fat
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Chemical Energy in Food
OB5 investigate the conversion of chemical energy in food to heat energy
Energy in Food
Enzymes and Digestion
OB8 investigate the action of amylase on starch; identify the substrate, product and enzyme
Amylase
Inhaled and Exhaled Air
OB11 carry out qualitative tests to compare the carbon dioxide levels of inhaled and exhaled air
Breathing
Identifying Living Things
OB39 investigate the variety of living things by direct observation of animals and plants in their environment; classify living organisms as plants or animals, and animals as vertebrates or invertebrates
Living Things
Cells and the Microscope
OB42 identify, and understand the functions of, the main parts of a microscope (light microscope only) and use it to examine an animal cell and a plant cell
OB43 draw one example each of an animal cell and a plant cell, identifying the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell wall (plant cell), and indicate the position of the cell membrane
OB44 prepare a slide from plant tissue and sketch the cells under magnification
OB43 draw one example each of an animal cell and a plant cell, identifying the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell wall (plant cell), and indicate the position of the cell membrane
OB44 prepare a slide from plant tissue and sketch the cells under magnification
Slides
Photosynthesis
OB49 show that starch is produced by a photosynthesising plant
Photosynthesis
Germination
OB58 investigate the conditions necessary for germination
Germination
Habitat Study
OB59 study a local habitat, using appropriate instruments and simple keys to show the variety and distribution of named organisms
Habitat Study
Micro-organisms
OB65 investigate the presence of micro-organisms in air and soil
