1. This question is about refraction.

(a) With the aid of a suitable diagram define the term refractive index as applied to an optical
material.
(2)

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The diagram below shows the path followed by a ray of red light that is incident on one face of a
glass prism at an angle θ to the normal.

N o rm a l

In c id e n t b e a m

(b) (i) The red light is now replaced by blue light. On the diagram sketch the
corresponding path followed by a ray of blue light incident at the same angle θ.
(3)

(ii) State and explain whether the refractive index for red light in the glass is greater
than, equal to or less than the refractive index for blue light.

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(1)
(Total 6 marks)

1
2. This question is about optical dispersion.

The graph below shows the variation with wavelength λ of the speed v of light in one type of
glass.

1 .9 7 0 0
1 .9 6 5 0
1 .9 6 0 0
v /× 1 0 8 m s –1
1 .9 5 5 0
1 .9 5 0 0
1 .9 4 5 0
1 .9 4 0 0
1 .9 3 5 0
350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750
/ nm

(a) Use data from the graph to determine, to the correct number of significant digits, the
refractive index for blue light of wavelength 400 nm in this type of glass (free space speed
8 –1
of light c = 2.9979 × 10 m s )

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(2)

(b) The refractive index of red light of wavelength 650 nm in this type of glass is about 1.52.
Use this fact and your answer in (a) to explain optical dispersion.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)

2
3. This question is about refractive index and critical angle.

The diagram below shows the boundary between glass and air.

g la s s a ir

(a) On the diagram, draw a ray of light to illustrate what is meant by critical angle. Mark the
critical angle with the letter “c”.
(3)

A straight optic fibre has length 1.2 km and diameter 1.0 mm. Light is reflected along the fibre
as shown below.

1 .2 k m

1 .0 k m

At each reflection, the angle of incidence is equal in value to the critical angle. The refractive
index of the glass of the fibre is 1.5.

(b) Deduce that the length of the light path along the optic fibre is about 1.8 km.

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(4)

8 –1
The speed of light in the fibre is 2.0 × 10 m s .

(c) Calculate the time for a pulse of light to travel the length of the fibre when its path is

(i) along the axis of the fibre.

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(1)

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 (ii) as calculated in (b).

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(1)
(Total 9 marks)

4. This question is about refractive index.

Light from a laser is directed at a semi-circular glass block. The light passes undeviated through
the block and on to a screen, forming a spot at A as shown.

P
L aser A

The semi-circular block is rotated about the point P. The spot of light on the screen is seen to
move downwards. When the spot reaches point B, it disappears.

(a) Complete the diagram below to show the position of the semi-circular block when the spot
is at point B. The original position of the block is shown as a dotted line.

P
L aser A

B
(1)

4
In a particular experiment, the distance PA is 120 cm and distance AB is 138 cm.

(b) Calculate the refractive index of the glass of the block.

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(3)

The laser is changed for one emitting light of higher frequency. The experiment is then repeated.

(c) State and explain whether the distance AB will be greater or less than 138 cm.

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

5
5. This question is about refraction.

A bird is hovering above a pond. A fish is in the pond at the position shown in the diagram
below.

b ird

s u rfa c e o f th e p o n d

fis h

(a) Draw rays on the diagram above to locate the position of the image of the fish as seen by
the bird.
(3)

(b) Explain whether the image of the fish is real or virtual.

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(1)

(c) The fish is 48 cm below the surface of the pond. The bird hovers vertically above the fish.
Calculate the apparent depth of the fish. The refractive index of water is 1.3.

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

6
6. This question is about dispersion and refractive index.

(a) State and explain what is meant by the dispersion of white light.

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(2)

(b) A narrow beam of light is incident from glass on a boundary between glass and air as
shown below.

g la s s
a ir

The beam consists of a mixture of red and blue light.

(i) On the diagram above, draw labelled rays to show the path of the red and blue light
in air.
(2)

(ii) The refractive index of glass for the red light is 1.52. Calculate the maximum angle
of incidence on the glass air boundary for the red light to pass into the air.

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(2)

(iii) Explain whether the blue light would pass into the air for the angle calculated in
(ii).

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

7
7. This question is about refraction and dispersion.

(a) State what is meant by dispersion.

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(1)

(b) A thin beam of white light is incident on one surface of a glass prism as shown below.

On the diagram above, draw lines to show the approximate paths of the red and of the blue
light as it passes through the prism and back into the air.
(3)

(c) State and explain, with reference to your diagram, whether the refractive index of glass for
blue light is greater or less than that for red light.

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(3)

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 (d) A second similar prism is placed close to the first prism in (b) as shown below.

Suggest the appearance and the direction of the light that emerges from the second prism.

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(2)
(Total 9 marks)

8. This question is about refraction.

(a) Define refractive index.

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(1)

8 –1
(b) In a certain medium, the speed of light of a particular frequency is 2.1  10 m s .
Calculate the refractive index of the medium for this frequency.

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(2)

(c) With reference to your answer in (b), describe what is meant by optical dispersion.

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(3)
(Total 6 marks)

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9. This question is about refraction.

(a) The diagram below shows a ray of monochromatic light incident on the boundary between
two media. The dotted line is the normal to the boundary.

n o rm a l

m e d iu m 1

b o u n d a ry

m e d iu m 2

The refractive index of medium 1 is n1 and that of medium 2 is n2 and n1>n2. The ray is incident
at an angle to the normal that is less than the critical angle.

(i) Explain what is meant by critical angle.

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(2)

(ii) On the diagram above, draw lines to show the paths of the ray after it is incident on
the boundary.
(2)

(b) Derive a relationship between n1, n2 and the critical angle c.

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

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