Written by IGCSEPhysics Content Team · Physics subject adviser: K. S. Tan, 15+ years teaching IGCSE Physics · Checked against the Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) 2026 to 2028 syllabus
This page lists every piece of laboratory equipment referenced in the Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus, grouped by measurement type.
Length measurement
| Equipment | Range | Least count | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metre rule | 0 to 100 cm | 1 mm | Measuring lengths of objects, distances in optics experiments |
| 30 cm ruler | 0 to 30 cm | 1 mm | Measuring shorter lengths, reading scales |
| Vernier caliper | 0 to 15 cm | 0.01 cm (0.1 mm) | Measuring diameter of wires, thickness of objects |
| Micrometer screw gauge | 0 to 25 mm | 0.01 mm | Measuring very small lengths, wire diameter |
| Tape measure | 0 to several metres | 1 mm | Measuring longer distances in mechanics experiments |
How to read a vernier caliper
- Read the main scale at the position of the zero on the vernier scale.
- Find the vernier scale line that aligns exactly with a main scale line.
- Add the vernier reading to the main scale reading.
How to read a micrometer
- Read the main scale (sleeve) to the nearest 0.5 mm.
- Read the thimble scale.
- Add both readings.
Mass measurement
| Equipment | Range | Least count | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic balance | 0 to 2 kg (typically) | 0.01 g or 0.1 g | Measuring mass of objects, materials |
| Triple beam balance | 0 to 610 g | 0.1 g | Measuring mass (alternative to electronic balance) |
Time measurement
| Equipment | Range | Least count | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital stopwatch | 0 to 24 hours | 0.01 s | Timing pendulum swings, motion experiments |
| Analogue stopwatch | 0 to 30 minutes | 0.1 s | Timing experiments (less precise) |
Reducing timing errors: For short events (e.g. one pendulum swing), time multiple swings and divide. Timing 20 swings instead of 1 reduces the percentage error from human reaction time.
Temperature measurement
| Equipment | Range | Least count | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury thermometer | -10 to 110 degrees C | 1 degree C | Measuring temperature in thermal experiments |
| Digital thermometer | -50 to 300 degrees C | 0.1 degree C | More precise temperature measurements |
| Thermocouple | Wide range | varies | Measuring temperature at a point (less common in IGCSE) |
Volume measurement
| Equipment | Range | Least count | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring cylinder | 10 to 1000 mL | 1 mL (varies) | Measuring liquid volume, displacement method for irregular solids |
| Eureka can (displacement can) | varies | N/A | Collecting displaced water to measure volume of irregular objects |
Electrical equipment
| Equipment | Symbol | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Ammeter | A (circle) | Measuring current, connected in series |
| Voltmeter | V (circle) | Measuring potential difference, connected in parallel |
| Power supply / battery pack | Cell or battery symbol | Providing a fixed or variable voltage |
| Variable resistor (rheostat) | Resistor with arrow | Varying current in a circuit |
| Switch | Standard symbol | Opening and closing a circuit |
| Connecting wires | Lines | Completing circuit connections |
| Crocodile clips | N/A | Making temporary connections |
Optics equipment
| Equipment | Used for |
|---|---|
| Ray box | Producing a narrow beam of light for optics experiments |
| Triangular glass prism | Refraction and dispersion experiments |
| Converging (convex) lens | Forming real and virtual images |
| Plane mirror | Reflection experiments, locating images |
| Optical pins | Locating images by no-parallax method |
| White screen | Capturing real images |
| Protractor | Measuring angles of incidence and refraction |
Waves and sound equipment
| Equipment | Used for |
|---|---|
| Ripple tank | Demonstrating reflection, refraction and diffraction of water waves |
| Signal generator + loudspeaker | Producing sound waves of known frequency |
| Tuning forks | Producing sound of a fixed frequency |
| Oscilloscope (CRO) | Displaying waveforms, measuring frequency and amplitude |
Forces equipment
| Equipment | Used for |
|---|---|
| Newton meter (spring balance) | Measuring force |
| Pulley and string | Changing direction of force in experiments |
| Trolley and ramp | Motion experiments (acceleration, friction) |
| Light gates and data logger | Measuring speed and acceleration precisely |
| Spring and masses | Hooke’s law experiments |
Key skill: choosing appropriate equipment
When a question asks “suggest suitable equipment”, consider:
- What physical quantity needs to be measured?
- What is the expected range of the measurement?
- What precision is needed?
- Is the equipment practical for the situation described?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know all this equipment for the exam?
For Paper 5 (Practical Test) and Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical), yes. You need to know the name, purpose and correct use of each instrument. The exam may ask you to suggest appropriate equipment for a given experiment.
What is the difference between a measuring cylinder and a burette?
A measuring cylinder measures the volume of a liquid. A burette is used for dispensing precise volumes of liquid. In physics, you will mostly use measuring cylinders. Burettes are more common in chemistry.
Do I need to know the least count of each instrument?
Yes. The least count (smallest division) determines the precision of the measurement. For example, a metre rule has a least count of 1 mm, while a micrometer screw gauge has a least count of 0.01 mm.
Next useful steps
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