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Experiments are the life-blood of the physical sciences. We can theorise as much as we like about the nature of the Universe. This can be a fascinating pastime but may not lead anywhere. If a theory is worth anything, at some point it will predict certain consequences in the real world. The experimentalist will go out and search for these results. Remember a negative result is a result and can be very important.
If you do not get the results the text books, and your teacher, expect then try to find out why. Where is your experiment different than the book? What conditions might you have altered? How did these alterations affect the final outcome? What have you learned from the unexpected result? An experiment never gives the wrong answer, it is the voice of Nature. If the answer is unexpected then you are lucky and can learn from it.
This site contains a selection of Leaving Certificate Physics experiments. There are experiments from the sections of the course on Light, Sound, Heat and Electricity. The general methods used here can be used throughout your course.
As a sample, press the arrow below. Enjoy!