28 April 2025

ATP

What makes ATP, ADP, and AMP so valuable? They are used in DNA and RNA to store and release energy and as signals inside cells. Each day, we recycle kg of these to keep us alive.
 

25 April 2025

Iron Ore Extraction


 Very small-scale extraction of ores. On a wooden spill with iron oxide Fe(III)O and some Sodium Carbonate, and place in a Bunsen Burner. The iron oxide is not magnetic, but the iron produced at the end is magnetic, and the filings can be collected and moved by a magnet.

24 April 2025

Momentum inline and stacked


 Inelastic collisions comparing one @pascoscientific smartcart hitting two stacked and two inline. Does it make a difference? Not much since the wheels are nearly frictionless. But it is an interesting experiment to do.

23 April 2025

Circle Theorems

Students remember all the Circle Theorems so that they can solve the A-level problems. Finding the Midpoint of a chord, then finding a perpendicular and another perpendicular, allows the student to find the centre of the circle.
 

22 April 2025

Cathode Ray Tube


 Taking a good look at the insides of an oscilloscope to discover how a Cathode Ray Tube works. Once commonplace, now students don't know what it is, and the technology about how it works, and its history in the discovery of particles.

21 April 2025

Practising Serial Dilutions


 Practising Serial dilutions as part of an A-Level Experiment Practice. Some of the students have to do practical experiments, and it is essential to get them to practice the sorts of things they will be doing.

19 April 2025

Turing Tumble

Using the Turing Tumble by @UpperStoryCothe students worked out some assembly language and followed the logic of what was happening to the bits. Using the ball bearings, the students saw how the gates set bits, so they could try adding some bits together and check whether they got the correct answer.

 

A-Level Physics: AC Theory, RMS Voltages – and Why 230 V Isn’t 230 V at All

 A-Level Physics: AC Theory, RMS Voltages – and Why 230 V Isn’t 230 V at All When students first meet alternating current in A-Level Physics...