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Safety in A2 practicals

Edexcel IAL Physics · WPH16 Practical Skills in Physics II

The A2 core practicals bring new hazards: capacitors, radioactive sources, hot water and oscillating masses. As in Unit 3, only specific precautions score.

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Hazards and precautions in A2 practicals

Each A2 core practical has its own hazards. Learn a precaution that matches each one:

Practical	Hazard	Specific precaution
CP11 capacitors	Stored charge can give a shock or burn; an electrolytic capacitor can fail if misconnected	Discharge fully before handling; do not exceed the working p.d.; connect with correct polarity
CP12, CP13 heating	Hot water, hotplate or immersion heater can scald or burn	Heat-resistant gloves or tongs; stable beaker on a heatproof mat; do not touch the heater when on
CP14 gas under pressure	Glass tube could shatter at high pressure	Do not exceed the stated maximum pressure; use a safety screen
CP15 gamma source	Ionising radiation damages cells	Long tongs; point away from people; minimise time; keep distance; return to lead-lined box straight after use
CP16 and oscillations	Masses or springs could fly off or fall	Secure the clamp and stand; sand tray or cushion beneath; eye protection if a spring may snap
CP9, CP10 trolleys and spheres	Trolleys or spheres falling off the bench	Use an end-stop or buffer; keep the runway secure

What is not credited

'Safety gloves' or 'be careful': name the type and the hazard (heat-resistant gloves for a hot beaker).
Insulating gloves for ordinary laboratory power supplies; 'low p.d.' arguments when the component works at a few volts anyway.
PPE (gloves, aprons) as protection from a gamma source, or a lead box or shield already shown in the diagram.
More precautions than the number asked for.

Writing the answer

One sentence that links hazard and precaution: 'The water could scald, so move the beaker with tongs.' If the question asks for a hazard, describe a specific outcome ('burns from the hotplate'), not just 'someone could get hurt'.

Worked example

Give one safety precaution for core practical 11 with a large electrolytic capacitor.

Hazard: a charged capacitor can discharge through you; reversed polarity can damage it.
Precaution: discharge it fully through a resistor before handling, and connect its positive terminal to the positive side of the supply.

Answer: Discharge the capacitor fully before handling it, and connect it with the correct polarity

Key idea: Name the specific hazard in this experiment and a precaution that controls it. Capacitors: discharge, working p.d., polarity. Radioactive sources: tongs, distance, time, return to box. Heating: heat-resistant gloves or tongs.

Check yourself

Which precaution is specific to working with a charged capacitor?
- Wear safety goggles in case of glass
- Use a sand tray
- Discharge it fully before handling
- Keep the room dark
Show answer
Discharge it fully before handling. Stored charge is the capacitor hazard.
Which is the best precaution when moving a sealed gamma source?
- Use long tongs and hold it pointing away from the body
- Wear rubber gloves
- Wear an apron
- Hold it briefly in your hand
Show answer
Use long tongs and hold it pointing away from the body. Distance reduces dose; gloves do not stop gamma rays.
Which safety answer for heating a water bath on a hotplate is creditworthy?
- Wear safety gloves
- Use a low p.d.
- Use heat-resistant gloves or tongs to move the hot beaker
- Be careful near water
Show answer
Use heat-resistant gloves or tongs to move the hot beaker. It names the hazard and a specific type of protection.
Why are insulating gloves not accepted as a precaution for an ordinary laboratory power supply?
- Gloves conduct electricity
- Laboratory supplies use low p.d.s that do not need them
- They make the readings inaccurate
- They are too expensive
Show answer
Laboratory supplies use low p.d.s that do not need them. Examiners do not credit insulating gloves for standard low-voltage laboratory supplies.
In core practical 16, what is a sensible precaution?
- Wear insulating gloves
- Use tongs to adjust the frequency
- Stand at least 5 m away
- Clamp the stand securely and place a cushion beneath the masses
Show answer
Clamp the stand securely and place a cushion beneath the masses. The hazard is a mass or spring falling or flying off.
Describe one hazard in core practical 13 (latent heat of vaporisation) and a precaution.
Show answer
Boiling water or steam can scald, so keep hands away from the steam, do not touch the heater, and use tongs or heat-resistant gloves to move the beaker.. Name the hazard and a matching precaution.

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Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.