Cambridge IAL Physics case studies
Cambridge IAL Physics · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) is a Cambridge Advanced qualification offered under the Cambridge Pathway and delivered in two stages: a stand-alone AS Level and a full A Level that extends the AS content. It builds on the skills acquired at Cambridge IGCSE Physics or an equivalent course, so it suits learners who already handle motion, energy, waves and circuits and are ready for a more mathematical treatment. The Cambridge IAL Physics case studies are 5 cases and about 4,210 words.
1Falling-ball viscometry: is the discrepancy just 'experimental error'?
A student drops a steel ball of diameter 20.0 mm and density 7.8 × 10³ kg m⁻³ into a 1.00 m tall measuring cylinder filled with glycerol of density 1.26 × 10³ kg m⁻³. Timing marks are 0.10 m and 0.90 m below the surface, and the ball passes them 1.32 s apart.
828 words, about 4 min2Two-point determination of e.m.f. and internal resistance of a used cell
A student is asked to find the e.m.f. E and internal resistance r of a single AA cell.
830 words, about 4 min3Sizing an off-grid photovoltaic system for a rural clinic
A rural clinic in a region with a pronounced dry season asks for an off-grid photovoltaic system. Its daily electrical demand is 4.2 kW h, of which 1.1 kW h is a vaccine fridge that must run continuously.
853 words, about 4 min4Choosing an ultrasound frequency for a small stone deep in tissue
A sonographer must image a suspected 2.0 mm stone in a duct lying 6.0 cm below the skin. The department has two probes, 2.0 MHz and 5.0 MHz.
879 words, about 4 min5Capacitor discharge: when a good straight line hides a systematic error
A student must determine the capacitance of an unmarked capacitor by discharging it through a carbon resistor marked 100 kΩ ± 5%. He charges the capacitor to 6.00 V, then connects it across the resistor and records the p.d.
820 words, about 4 min