GRADE 12 PHYSICS ACTIVITIES LIST FOR PRACTICAL RECORDS

Important Note:
Please use the LAB MANUAL for activity writing after checking the Title
of the Activity from this page.

1.To identify a diode, an LED, a transistor, an IC,

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

Apparatus and material

Apparatus: Multimeter.
Material: Above mixed collection of items.

Theory
For identification, appearance and working of each item will have to be considered.

1. 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. Hence, it does not glow.
2. A LED (light emitting diode) is also a two terminal device. It also conducts when forward
biased and does not conduct when reverse biased. It emits light while conducting. Hence, it
glow.
3. A transistor is a three terminal device. The terminals represent emitter (E), base (B) and
collector (C).
4. An IC (integrated circuit) is a multi-terminal device in form of a chip. [See figure (UM 3482 IC
Tone Generator)]
5. A resistor is a two terminal device. It conducts when either forward biased or reverse biased.
(Infact there is no forward or reverse bias for a resistor). It conducts even when operated
with A.C. voltage.
6. A capacitor is also a two terminal device. It does not conduct when either forward biased or
reverse biased. When a capacitor is connected to a D.C. source, then multimeter shows full
scale current initially but it decay to zero quickly. It is because that initially a capacitor draw a
charge.
The components to be identified are shown in figure.
Procedure

1. If the item has four or more terminals and has form of a chip, it is an IC (integrated circuit).
2. If the item has three terminals, it is a transistor.
3. If the item has two terminals, it may be diode, a LED, a resistor or a capacitor.
To differentiate proceed as ahead.
4. Put the selector on resistance R of multimeter for checking the continuity. The probe metal
ends are inserted in terminal marked on the multimeter as common and P (or + ve).

If such that the black one is in common and red probe is in P (or + ve). On touching the two ends
of the device to the two other metal ends of probes.

1. If pointer moves when voltage is applied in one way and does not move when reversed and
there is no light emission, the item is a diode.
2. If pointer moves when voltage is applied in one way and does not move when re-versed and
there is light emission, the item is a LED.
3. If pointer moves when voltage is applied in one way and also when reversed, the item is a
resistor.
4. If pointer does not move when voltage is applied in one way and also when reversed, the
item is a capacitor.
2. To study effect of intensity of light (by
varying distance of he source) on an LDR
Aim
To study effect of intensity of light (by varying distance of the source) on an LDR.

Apparatus
Light source, light dependent resistors (L.D.R.s) of different variety, a multimeter (or meter bridge),
a source of intense light (a lamp bulb with battery eliminator) and a convex lens.
Light Dependent Resistor
The light dependent resistance are the devices for detecting and measuring electromagnetic
waves (light etc.). Its working is based upon the principle of variation of the photoconductivity
when radiation is incident upon it and absorbed by it.
A light dependent resistor is prepared from cadmium sulphide. Its resistance depends upon the
intensity and duration of light incident on it.
A good quality LDR shows a resistance variation from 1 MΩ in complete darkness to about 10 Ω in
full day light. The intensity of light decreases inversely with increase the square of distance.

Procedure

1. Turn the selector switch and set it on R for the measurement of resistance, in multimeter.
2. Plug the metallic ends of black probe in terminal marked common in multimeter and that of
red in terminal marked as P (or +). Short the other metallic ends and adjust the ‘R adjusting’
to get full scale deflection reading at zero ohm in the meter.
3. Touch the metallic probes to the two metal ends of the L.D.R. [Fig. (a)] and read the value of
resistance when (a) the source is kept at a distance of 2 cm, fixing the source of light in a
stand and keeping the L.D.R. vertically below it.
(i) Moving the source to 4 cm distance from the L.D.R. and
(ii) Moving the source to 6,8 and 10 cm from L.D.R. and repeating observation three more
times.

Observation record
 3.To observe refraction and lateral
deviation of a beam of light incident
obliquely on a glass slab
Aim
To observe refraction and lateral deviation of a beam of light incident obliquely on a glass slab.

Apparatus
Glass slab, drawing board, white paper sheet, drawing pins, office pins, protractor.

Theory
When a ray of light (PQ) incident on the face AB of glass slab, then it bends towards the normal
since refraction takes place from rarer to denser medium. The refracted ray (QR) travel along
straight line and incident on face DC of slab and bends away from the normal since refraction
takes place from denser to rarer medium. The ray (RS) out through face DC is called emergent
ray.
From the following diagram

1. The incident ray is parallel to the emergent ray i.e. i = e.

2. The emergent ray is laterally deviated from its original path (incident ray) by a distance d = t
sec r sin (i – r).

Diagram

Procedure

Fix a white paper sheet by drawing pins on a drawing board.

Take a glass slab and put it symmetrically in the middle of the paper and mark its
boundary ABCD.
Draw a normal at point Q on face AB and draw a line PQ making an angle i with the
normal. PQ will represent an incident ray.

Fix two pins at points 1 and 2 on the line PQ at distances 1 cm or more between
themselves.

See images of these pins through face DC and fix two more pins at points 3 and 4 (1
cm or more apart) such that these two pins cover the images of first two pins, all
being along a straight line.

Remove the glass slab. Draw straight line RS through points 3 and 4 to represent
emergent ray. Join QR to represent refracted ray.

Draw normal at point R on face DC and measure angle e. It comes to be equal to

angle i. Produce PQ forward to cut DC at T. Draw TU perpendicular to RS. TU
measures lateral displacement d.

Now take another set for different angle of incident and measure the lateral
displacement.
4.To Assemble a Household Circuit
Comprising Three Bulbs, Three (on/off)
Switches, a Fuse and a Power Source
Aim
To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three (on/off) switches,a fuse and a
power source.

Apparatus and material

Apparatus: No apparatus required in assembling a circuit.
Material: Three bulbs (6 V, 1W) each, fuse of 0.6 A, main switch a power supply (battery .
eliminator), three (on/off) switches flexible connecting wire with red and black plastic covering,a
fuse wire.
Supplementary: Main electric board with a two-pin socket and main switch.

Theory
Electricity supplied to us for domestic purposes is 220 V A.C. and 50 Hz. The household circuit, all
appliances are connected in “parallel” with mains. The switches are connected in series with each
appliances in live wire. 5 A switches are required for normal appliances like, bulbs, fluorescent
tubes fans etc. 15 A sockets and switches are required for heavy load appliances ‘ like,
refrigerator, air conditioner, geyser, hot plates etc. All appliances must have three wires called live,
neutral and the earth. Total power consumption ‘P’ at a time
P = P1 + P2 + P3 +………..
where P1, P2, P3 are the powers drawn by appliances.
To protect the appliances from damage when unduly high currents are drawn fuse of  little higher
rating, 10 to 20% higher than the current normally drawn by all appliances. For further safety, a
suitable value MAINS FUSE like rating 32 A is connected in series with supply source.

Procedur
e
1. Connect the bulbs B1, B2 and B3 in series with switches S1, S2 and S3 respectively and connect
each set of B-S in parallel with each other.
2. Connect main supply to a step-down transformer (battery eliminator) to get required voltage
from 0 to 10 V (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 V).
3. Connect the mains fuse M.S. in series with the power supply (battery eliminator).
4. Connect an A.C. ammeter in series with the B-S set.
5. Connect one end of power supply to one end of B-S set.
6. Check the circuit one again to ensure that household circuit is complete.
7. Gradually increase the current to 0.75 A, the fuse must bum off at about 0.6 A.
 5.To Draw the Diagram of a 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
Aim
To draw the diagram of a 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

A battery eliminator or a battery (0 to 6 V), rheostat, resistance box (0 to 100 £2), two or one way
key. D.C. ammeter (0-3) A and a D.C. voltmeter (0-3) V.

Theory
An open circuit is the combination of primary components of electric circuit in a such a manner that
on closing the circuit no current is drawn from the battery.
To Measure Resistance, Voltage (AC/DC),
Current (AC) and Check Continuity of a
Given Circuit Using Multimeter
November 29, 2016 by Sastry CBSE

To Measure Resistance, Voltage (AC/DC),

Current (AC) and Check Continuity of a Given
Circuit Using Multimeter
Aim
To measure resistance, voltage (AC/DC), current (AC) and check continuity of a given circuit using
multimeter.

Apparatus and material

Apparatus. Three carbon resistors, one standard resistance coil, a battery eliminator with tapping
(2 V, 4 V and 6 V), a step down transformer (6-0-6 V) with two tapping (2 V and 4 V), a resistor of
100 ohm, a plug key and multimeter.

Theory
Multimeter. It is a single measuring device acting as an Ammeter, a Voltmeter and an Ohmmeter.
For this reason, it is also called AVO meter.
It can measure alternating as well as direct current and alternating as well as direct voltage in
addition to resistance. For this purpose its panel is divided into five different sections. There are
many ranges in each section so that it can measure from micro (10 -6) to mega (106) units. Rotation
of a knob changes the section and the range in one section.
— Rotation of knob for change in ammeter range, brings shunt resistances of different values in
circuit in parallel with the coil.
— Rotation of knob for change in voltmeter range, brings series resistances of different values in
circuit in series with the coil.
— Rotation of knob for change in ohmmeter range, brings different resistances in circuit in series
with the multimeter cell.

1. Carbon resistors are frequently used in electrical and electronic circuits and their values vary over a
very wide range. A colour code is used to indicate the value of the resistance.

2. A carbon resistance has four different concentric coloured ringe or bands on its surface. The first
three bands a, b and c determine the value of the resistance and the fourth band d gives the
percentage of accuracy called tolerance. The resistance of carbon resistor R = (ab x 10c ± T %) Ω.
 3. To read the value of carbon resistance, the following sentence is found to be of much more helpful.

4. The following table provides the colour code for the carbon resistors :

Procedure

1. Mark the given carbon resistors as R1,R2, R3.

2. Note the colour of first, second, third and fourth ring for each resistor.
3. Plug in the probes of the multimeter in appropriate terminals. Select the appropriate range, short the
other ends of probes and adjust zero. Turn the terminal marked ‘Adjust’ such that the needle of the
meter shows full scale deflection and reads zero ohm.
4. Separate the metallic ends of the probes. Insert the resistor R1 to be measured in between the
metallic ends of the two probes and read the deflection of the pointer on the range selected.
5. Repeat the step 4 for other resistors R2and R3 each time selecting the appropriate range and testing
the zero.
 6. Now convert using the colour code table, the values of resistors in ohms and write their values with
tolerance.

(b) D.C. Voltage

1. Select a D.C. source of potential difference, 6 V battery eliminator or a battery.

2. Plug the probes black in com and red in +.
3. Select D.C. volt, by turning the selector switch to range 10 V D.C. volts,
4. Touch and press other ends of probes such that red is on battery terminal marked + and black on
and not the reading.
5. Insert red probe in terminals marked 4 V, 2 V in succession and note readings.

(c) A.C. Volts

1. Turn the selector A.C. (200 Volt).

2. Touch and press the probes other ends to two terminals of A.C. source of potential
drop and note the reading.
3. Use red probe in terminals 4 V and 2 V in succession and record the reading.

(d) Continuity of given circuit 

1. Set the selector switch to ohm, range MΩ.

2. Touch and press the ends of probes at A and B, full scale deflection indicates continuity.
3. Similarly check in succession the continuity between terminals B and C and terminals C and D.
Never place the probes ends between terminals connected with the terminals of the battery.
In digital electronic multimeter for continuity test rotor is set to mark 0 and a buzzer , sounds when
probes are connected to ends of components tested.

Observations
(a) For Measurement of Resistance :
(b) Measurement of Voltage:

Inference 

1. The measured values by multimeter match with decoded values of resistors.

2. A.C. and D.C. voltages marked on voltage sources match with voltage measured by multimeter.

Precautions

1. Instructions for handling the multimeter should be gone through thoroughly as it is a very handy
instrument and is likely to get damaged if carelessly or ignorantly used.
2. Select the appropriate parameter current, voltage or resistance to the measured and set it on
appropriate range.
3. If range of the parameter measured is not known, start with maximum. For measuring V, never
connect more than maximum 600 V.