Physics Activity

file
NARAYANA E –
TECHNO

NAME: Manish Vashisth

➢ CLASS: XII
➢ Roll: 5837429
➢ SUBECT: Physics
➢ TOPIC: Activity file
Acknowledgemen
t
I would like to express my thanks of
gratitude to our Principal “Ms. Ritu
Arora”, mam for giving me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful chance
to work upon some activities of physics.
which has helped me in doing a lot of
research. I would extend my heartiest
thanks to my Biology teacher, Mr. Kapil
Atri , for providing me with all the
support I required at all times.

I would like to gratefully thank my

parents for providing me with all the
facilities and a favourable environment
at home.
THANK YOU
Manish
Class XII
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Manish Vashisth of

class XII of NARAYANA e – TECHNO has
successfully completed the Activity File
of Physics as prescribed by the Central
Board Of Secondary Education(C.B.S.E.)
for the academic year 2024-25

Date:

_________ ________
Signature of internal Signature
of external examiner
examiner
ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY

AI
M To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Resistor, ammeter, (0-1.5A) voltmeter (0-5V ), battery, one way
key, rheostat, sand paper, connecting wires.

P ROCEDURE
1. Connect the components
as shown in Fig. A 1.1.
2. After closing the key K,
check that the voltmeter
and ammeter show
deflections on the right
hand side.
3. Check the continuity of
the assembled circuit
using a multimeter (see
Activity 4).

R
Fig. A 1.1 Assembling of given components
ESUL
T
The components of the electrical circuit were assembled.

P RECAUTIONS
1. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the
positive terminal of ammeter and positive terminal of the
voltmeter.
2. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor and
the voltmeter should be connected in parallel with the resistor.
3. Sand paper should be used to clean the ends of connecting
wires and leads of the component terminals. Grease/oil or
oxide layer
LABORATORY
MANUAL
on their surfaces is insulating in nature and needs to be removed.
However, do not clean the plugs and keys with sand paper.
Excessive use of sand paper in such a case will make the plug
unfit to be used with the key.
 ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY 2
AI
M To draw the diagram of given open circuit comprising at least a
battery, resistor/rheostat, key, ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the
components that are not connected in proper order and correct
the circuit and also the circuit diagram.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

A given open circuit comprising atleast a cell or a battery, plug
key, resistor, rheostat, ammeter, voltmeter, connecting wires and
sand paper.

P RINCIPLE
An electrical circuit is functional only if all the components of the
circuit are connected in proper order, assuming that all circuit
components/devices are in working condition and key is closed.
An open circuit means a break in some part of a circuit which could
be deliberate such as a key in open position or a fault such as broken
wire or burnt out component(s) or loose connection. Some of such
circuits are given in Figs. A 2.1 (a), (b), (c) and (d).

141
LABORATORY
MANUAL

Fig. A 2.1 (a),(b),(c),(d) Open circuits

Note to teachers: In this activity, students are expected to draw

the diagram of a given open circuit comprising a few circuit
components e.g. a key, ammeter, voltmeter, resistor, rheostat
etc. After drawing the given circuit, students would be marking
the components which are not connected in proper order. Then
a correct circuit diagram is to be drawn and accordingly the
circuit components are to be connected in proper order.
Teachers are therefore advised to set up a few open circuits in
which some of the components are not arranged in proper
order.

P ROCEDURE
1. Draw the circuit diagrams in your notebook as given by your
teacher [Fig. A 2.1(a), (b), (c) and (d)].
2. Consider one circuit and mark in Table A 2.1, the various
components which have not been connected in proper order.
3. Draw the correct circuit diagram.
4. Connect the electrical components according to corrected circuit
diagram.
5. Close the key in the circuit to verify if the corrected circuit is
functional.

Note: Rheostat can be used both as a variable resistance and

potential divider.
Rheostat as a variable resistance
1. Draw a diagram as given in Fig. A 2.2 (a) showing use of a
rheostat as a variable resistor.
 ACTIVITY 2

2. Connect the terminals of rheostat as drawn below using one end

terminal and the other variable terminal.

Variable resistance

Rh

End terminal End terminal

(1) (2)

(a)

Fig. A 2.2 (a) Rheostat as a variable resistor

(b) Rheostat as a potential divider giving variable voltage

Rheostat as a potential divider

1. Draw a diagram as given in Fig. A 2.2 (b) showing use of a rheostat
as a potential divider.
2. Connect the terminals of rheostat as drawn above using (i) the
end terminals (1) and (2) connected to input potential (battery)
and (ii) one end terminal and the other variable terminal for
variable voltage.

O BSERVATIONS

Table A 2.1: Mark a (✓) in appropriate column

Sl. No. Circuit Correct Incorrect
Component Connection Connection
Battery/cell
Resistor
Rheostat
Key
Ammeter
Voltmeter

R ESULT
The electrical circuit assembled as per the corrected circuit diagram is
functional.
P RECAUTIONS
1. Ends of the connecting wires should be cleaned with sand
paper before making connections.
2. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the
positive terminal of the voltmeter and positive terminal of the
ammeter.
3. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor and
the voltmeter should be connected in parallel with it.
 ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY 3
AIM
To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three
(on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Three bulbs (40 W, 220 V each), three (on/off) switches, socket, a
fuse of 1.0 A, plug, flexible connecting wire, main switch.

P RINCIPLE
If P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, ... be the power consumed by different domestic
electrical appliances in a circuit then the total power consumption,
P at any instant is given by

P = P + P + P + P + P + ... (A 3.1)
1 2 3 4 5

If electric potential is V, then current I drawn from the mains is given

by
P (A 3.2)
I 
V

where P is in watt, V in volt

and I in ampere.
In order to protect the
appliances from damage,
when accidentally a high
current is drawn (e.g. when
the terminals of the appliance
get accidentally connected),
a fuse of rating little higher
(10 to 20 per cent higher
than the current normally
drawn) is connected in
series with the set of
appliances (Fig. A 3.1). Fig. A 3.1

157
LABORATORY
MANUAL

P ROCEDURE
1. Take the bulbs B1, B2, B3 and connect them in series with
switches S1, S2 and S3 respectively. Connect B1, B2, B3 alongwith
S1, S2, S3 in parallel with each other as shown in Fig. A 3.1.
2. Connect fuse F in series with the set up as shown in Fig. A 3.1.
Connect a plug and the socket at the end of two leads. Connect
a wire from the earth pin of the plug.
3. Insert the plug in socket provided in the main electric board.
4. Press the switches S1, S2, S3 one by one and observe the bulb
that is switched on and off independently of the other bulb.
5. Press all the switches simultaneously and observe what
happens. Record your observations.

R ESULT
Household circuit assembly is complete and installed with safety.

P RECAUTIONS
1. Care should be taken while working with mains.
2. Carefully determine the rating of the fuse by calculating the
maximum current drawn by the circuit.
 ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

AI
M To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a
steady current.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Potentiometer, battery eliminator of constant voltage, dc power
supply or lead accumulator, voltmeter and ammeter of suitable
range, plug key, jockey, rheostat, connecting wires, etc.

P RINCIPLE
If a steady current is flowing through a wire of uniform area of cross
section and having its resistance per unit length constant, potential
drop V across two points of the wire is directly proportional to the
length l between those two points.

Mathematically, V through an ammeter, plug key and a

l rheostat. The ammeter

P ROCEDURE
1. Set up the electrical
circuit as shown in
Fig. A 4.1.
2. Connect positive
terminal of the battery
to point A (zero
length) of the
potentiometer.
3. Connect negative end
of the battery to the
other end B (point) of
the potentiometer wire

157
 LABORATORY
MANUAL

Fig. A 4.1 Circuit to study variation in

potential drop
 LABORATORY
MANUAL
should be connected in such a way that its negative terminal is
connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
4. Connect positive end of the voltmeter to point A and other end
to a jockey J.
5. Now close the key K and press the jockey at point B. Adjust
the rheostat to get full scale deflection in voltmeter.
6. When jockey is pressed at point A, you will get zero deflection in
the voltmeter.
7. Now press the jockey at 40 cm and note the corresponding
voltmeter reading.
8. Repeat your observation by pressing the jockey at various
lengths like 80 cm, 120 cm etc. which may extend upto, say 400
cm of potentiometer wire. Record voltmeter reading in each case
as shown in Table A 4.1.

O BSERVATIONS
Range of the voltmeter = ... V
Least count of the voltmeter = ...V
Zero error = ... V

Table A 4.1: Variation in potential drop with length

Sl. No. Length of potential wire over Voltmeter reading  = V/l

which potential drop is V (V) (V cm–1)
measured l (cm)

1
2
--
5

Mean

C ALCULATIONS
V 
The ratio   is calculated. It is the potential gradient of the
wire.


l 
Its value is almost constant.

P LOTTING GRAPH
Plot a graph of V versus I, with V on y-axis and I on x-axis. Slope of
the line gives  .
 ACTIVITY 4

R ESULT

V 
The ratio     is found to be constant within the limits of
 l 
experimental error. Its mean value is... V cm–1.

The graph shows a linear relationship between V and l . The value of

V
    from the graph is ... V cm–1.
l

P RECAUTIONS
1. Zero error in the voltmeter and ammeter (if there is any) should
be corrected by adjusting the screw provided at the base of
the needle.
2. The current in the wire should remain constant throughout
the experiment. To ensure this, current should be drawn
intermittently for short duration of time. It should be
monitored by an ammeter and readjusted whenever necessary,
with the help of a rheostat.
3. Do not press the wire too hard with the jockey while noting
down the observations or else there is a possibility that the
wire will become non-uniform (diameter will change) at these
points during the course of time.
4. Check for uniformity of wire at its various points before the start
of the experiment. If wire is non-uniform, the potential gradient
will not be constant.

S OURCES OF ERROR
1. The wire must have a uniform cross section along its entire
length. This should be checked by measuring its diameter at
various points before the start of the experiment.
2. Voltmeter may not give accurate reading.
 LABORATORY ACTIVITY 6
ACTIVITY
MANUAL

ACTIVITY

AI
M To identify a diode, a LED, a transistor, an IC, a resistor and a
capacitor from a mixed collection of such items.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Multimeter, a collection of diode, LED, transistor, IC, resistor and
capacitor.

P RINCIPLE
A diode is a two terminal device. It conducts when forward biased
and does not conduct when reverse biased. It does not emit light
while conducting.
A LED (light emitting diode) is also a two terminal device. It
conducts when forward biased and does not conduct when
reverse biased. It emits light while conducting.
A transistor is a three terminal device. The terminals represent
emitter (E), base (B) and collector (C).
An IC (integrated circuit) is a multi-terminal device in the form of a
chip. But some may have only three terminals, e.g. 7805, 7806,
7809, 7912.
A resistor is a two terminal device. It conducts equally in both
directions.
A capacitor is a two terminal device. It does not conduct but stores
some charge when dc voltage is applied.

P ROCEDURE
1. Check the physical appearance of the component.
(a) If it has four or more terminals and has the appearance of
a chip (black rectangular block), then it is an IC.

167
LABORATORY
MANUAL

(a) (b)

+Non
inverting
Inverting

(c)

(d)

(e) (f)

Fig. A 5.1 (a) Diode (b) LED (c) Transistor (d) IC (e) Resistor (f) Capacitor

(b) If it has three terminals, the component may be a transistor.

To confirm, set-up the multimeter in resistance mode
(highest range). Connect its black or common terminal to
one of the extreme legs of the component and the second
terminal (red or positive) to the central leg. Check the
multimeter deflection. If a deflection is observed,
interchange the multimeter terminals. If no deflection is
observed, the component is a transistor. Repeat this test
by connecting the multimeter terminals to the central leg
and the other extreme leg. If a similar behaviour is
observed, the component is a transistor.
(2) If the component has two terminals, it could be a resistor, a
capacitor, a diode or a LED.
 ACTIVITY 5

(a) Look for colour bands, if it has a typical set of three colour
bands followed by a silver or gold band, the component is a
resistor.
(b) Connect the multimeter terminals (in resistance mode-
highest range) to the component terminals and watch for
multimeter deflection. Also repeat by reversing the
component terminals.
(c) If the multimeter shows an equal deflection in both the
directions, the component is a resistor.
(d) If the deflection is accompanied with emission of light, in
one direction and a much less or zero deflection in the
other direction the component is a LED.
(e) If the multimeter does not show any deflection in one
direction and shows deflection with no light emission in the
other direction then, the component is a diode.
(f) If the multimeter does not show any deflection on
connecting its terminals either way to the component, it is
a capacitor. But if capacitance of capacitor is large,
multimeter may show a momentary deflection.
(g) Record your observations in Table A 8.1 and A 8.2.

Note to teachers

(i) Avoid giving an IC with three terminals.

(ii) Preferably use analog multimeter and not the digital
multimeter.
(iii) In case of digital multimeter, the term “deflection” in the
instructions may be read as “reading”.
(iv) Label each component by a different alphabet e.g., A,
B, C, D, E...

O BSERVATION
S Table A 5.1 : Checking for the number of terminals

Alphabet marked Name of the Device

Sl.No. No. of terminals
on the device

1 Two
2 Three
3 More than three
LABORATORY
MANUAL
Table A 5.2 : Checking for the state of conduction

Sl.No. State of Device Code Name of the device

conduction

1 Conducts in one direction

only without any emission
of light
2 Conducts in one direction
only with emission of light
3 Three terminal device;
conducts in one direction
only between central
terminal and either of the
remaining two terminals
4 Conducts in both
directions
5 Does not conduct, gives an
initial deflection which
decays to zero

R ESULT
A diode, a LED, a transistor, an IC, a resistor and a capacitor are
identified respectively from a mixed collection.

P RECAUTION
While obtaining resistance of any component, clean its
leads properly.

S OURCES OF ERROR
1. When the metal ends of a multimeter leads are touched, the
multimeter should show zero resistance. If it does not show
it, bring the pointer to zero using ‘Zero Adj knob’ on the
multimeter. If it is not done, the resistance measurements are
not reliable.
2. While checking resistance of a component, avoid touching either
of the metal ends of the multimeter leads. Body resistance in
parallel with component resistance can affect the resistance
measurement.
LABORATORY
MANUAL ACTIVITY 8

ACTIVITY 6
AIM
To observe refraction and lateral deviation of a beam of light incident
obliquely on a glass slab.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Drawing board, rectangular glass slab, white sheet of paper,
adhesive tape (cello-tape), drawing pins, a metre scale, alpins,
protractor, sharp pencil and eraser.

PRINCIPLE
When a ray of light is incident on a rectangular glass slab, it is
refracted through it. It emerges out of the slab parallel to the
direction of the incident ray. The emergent ray suffers only a
lateral displacement. For a given angle of incidence and a pair of
media, the lateral deviation is proportional to the thickness of the
glass slab.

PROCEDURE
1. Fix a white sheet of paper on the drawing board with the help
of cello-tape or drawing pins.

2. Place the glass slab lengthwise symmetrically at the centre of

the paper sheet and mark its boundary ABCD (Fig. A6.1) on the
paper sheet with a sharp pencil.

3. Draw a normal at a point F on the face AB. Draw a line EF,

representing the incident ray, making an angle i the angle of
incidence with the normal.

4. Fix two alpins P and Q with sharp tips, about 8 to 10 cm apart,

vertically on the line EF.

5. Observe the images of the two pins through the face

opposite of the glass slab. Fix two more alpins R and S

182
 ACTIVITY 6

about 8 to 10 cm apart,
vertically on the white paper
sheet carefully with their
tips in line with the tips of
the images of P and Q. Take
care that the tips of all the
alpins appear to be on a
straight line.

6. Remove the glass slab and

mark the pin prick positions
of the alpins on the white
paper sheet with a pencil.
Draw a straight line GH,
representing the emergent
ray, passing through the
points marked R and S,
meeting the face CD at G.

7. Draw the line FG to represent

the refracted ray. Draw a
normal at the point G on the
face CD; making an angle of
Fig. A7.1 Refraction through a rectangular glass
emergence e with the normal. slab
Measure the angle of
incidence i and angle of
emergence e with a protractor. Write the values of these angles
on the white paper sheet. Do you find some relation between i
and e ?

8. Extrapolate EF forward to meet the face CD of the glass slab at

O. Draw the perpendicular OL to the line GH.

9. Check if the emergent ray GH is parallel to the incident

ray EF along the original direction. It is laterally
deviated by a perpendicular distance OL. Measure
the lateral deviation OL = d and also the thickness of the
glass slab.

10. Repeat steps 2 to 9 by changing the angle of incidence.

11. Repeat the steps 2 to 10 by using glass slabs of different

thickness. Measure the lateral deviation and the thickness of
the glass slab each time. Also write the values of i and e on
the white paper sheet each time.

12. Record observations in tabular form with proper units. What

inference do you draw from your observations?
LABORATORY ACTIVITY 6
MANUAL

O BSERVATIONS
Least count of the protractor = ... (degree) Least
count of the metre scale = ... mm = ... cm

Table A 6.1 : Measuring the angle of incidence i, angle of emergence

e and lateral deviation d.

Thickness of Lateral devia-

Sl.
the GlassAngle of incidence i Angle of emergence e tion d 10–2 m
No. slab, t 10–2 m

(degree) (radians) (degree) (radians)

t1
t1
--
t1
t2
--
t2
t3
--

R ESULT
1. The ray of light emerging from a glass slab is parallel to the
incident ray direction, but is laterally deviated.
2. The lateral deviation of the emergent ray with respect to the
incident ray is directly proportional to the thickness of the
glass slab.
LABORATORY
LABORATORY
MANUAL
MANUAL

ACTIVITY 7
AIM
To observe diffraction of light due to a thin slit.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Two razor blades, one adhesive tape/cello-tape, source of light (electric
bulb/ laser pencil), a piece of black paper, two glass plats.

P RINCIPLE
When a beam of light passes through a
fine opening (aperture) or around a
sharp obstacle, it bends around corners
of the obstacle/aperture. The light
beam spreads and penetrates into
Glass plate
the geometrical shadow of the
obstacle. This phenomenon of bending
Black paper of light around fine
openings/obstacles is called
diffraction and is one of the evidences in
favour of wave nature of light. It arises
Fig. A 7.1 A fine slit made by using two razor
because of the interference of light waves
blades, one glass plats and a piece of
black paper. from different points of the same wave
front. Two razor blades with their sharp
edges held parallel, quite close to each
other (separation being of the order of wavelength of light ) form a
fine single slit (Fig. A 7.1). The diffraction pattern due to a single
slit consists of a central bright band, surrounded on both sides by
coloured bands (with electric bulb) and alternate dark and bright
bands (with laser pencil) of decreasing intensity and fringe width.

P ROCEDURE
1. Make a fine, single slit using razor blades. For this purpose, take
a glass plate and fix a black paper on top of it. Cut out a narrow
slit in the central part of the black paper. Place two razor blades,
side by side, quite close to each other over this slit as shown in
Fig. A 7.1.
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 ACTIVITY 7

2. Place a glowing clear electric lamp preferably with a straight

filament (or a laser pencil) at sufficient distance (about 4 to 8m)
behind the fine slit between the two sharp edges of the razor
blades. Observe the lamp through the slit. What do you find?
3. Alternatively, place the slit about 0.5m from the wall and the
source of light at a distance of about 15-20 cm behind the slit.
Observe the light falling on the wall.
4. Repeat the observations of steps 2 and 3 with a laser pencil. Note
the changes you observe.

R ESULT
Light waves incident on very fine apertures (openings) bend arround
corners and exhibit phenomenon of diffraction.
LABORATORY
MANUAL

THANK
YOU