3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

c
2 Refraction of Light 8 By n =
v
,

Practice 2.1 (p.51) c 3.00 × 108

v= = = 1.82 × 108 m s−1
n 1.65
1 C
The speed of light in glass is 1.82 × 108 m s−1.
2 A
9 Refractive index of glass
3 A
c 3.00 × 108
(1) Graph of P has a greater slope than that = = = 1.58
v 1.9 × 108
of Q
10
⇒ P has a greater refractive index than
Q
(2) Graph of R has a smaller slope than that
of Q
⇒ R has a smaller refractive index than
Q
⇒ R is optically less dense than Q
(3) Graph of R has a smaller slope than that
of P
⇒ R has a smaller refractive index than
P
11
⇒ light travels faster in R than in P
4 B
sin r sin 30°
=
sin 16.5° sin 19.5°
⇒ r = 25.2°
5 B centre

Apply n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 .

7 (a) Refraction is caused by the change in the For ray A,
speed of light across the boundary of 1.50 sin a = 1 sin 45°
two media. ⇒ a = 28.1°
(b) White light is composed of a mixture of b = a = 28.1° (base ∠s, isos. )
a whole range of colours. When different 1 sin c = 1.50 sin 28.1°
colours of light pass from one medium ⇒ c = 45°
to another, the changes in their speeds The angles that ray B makes with the normal
are slightly different and hence they are at the air-glass interfaces are all 0°.
refracted by slightly different amounts.

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

c
12 By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 and n = , Total internal reflection occurs when the angle
v
of incidence is 45°
c c
sin θ1 = sin θ 2 ⇒ critical angle C ≤ 45°
v1 v2
1 1
v ⇒ refractive index n = ≤ = 1.41
sin θ 1 = 1 sin θ 2 sin C sin 45°
v2
0.752c ∴ (1) and (2) are not always correct.
= sin 27° 1
0.645c If n increases, C = sin −1 will decrease and
n
θ 1 = 32.0°
the angle of incidence (45°) will still be
The angle of incidence is 32.0°.
greater than C.
13 (a)
∴ (3) must be correct.
5 A
(1) Total internal reflection occurs only
when light travels from a medium of
greater refractive index to a medium of
lower refractive index.
(2) Total internal reflection occurs when the
angle of incidence is 42°
⇒ critical angle ≤ 42°
(b) The image seen by the man is above the (3) When total internal reflection occurs, the
real position of the fish. Therefore, the entire ray is reflected. Therefore the
man should aim his spear at somewhere brightness of the reflected ray is the
below the image he sees. same no matter what the angle of
14 (a) incidence is.
6 (a) Critical angle for an ice-air interface
1 1
= sin −1 = sin −1 = 49.8°
n 1.31
(b) Refractive index of oil
1 1
= = = 1.46
sin C sin 43.2°
7 When the angle that the light ray makes with
the normal in liquid is equal to the critical
(b) Stars appear slightly higher. angle C, the angle that the light ray makes
with the normal in air is 90°.
Practice 2.2 (p.65) sin C sin 30°
=
1 D sin 90° sin 45°
2 B ⇒ C = 45°
3 D The critical angle for the liquid-air interface is
4 B 45°.

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

8 (a) ⇒ w = 35.26° ≈ 35.3°

x = 90° − 35.26° = 54.74° ≈ 54.7°
y = x = 54.74° ≈ 54.7°
On side CD,
1.5 sin (90° − 54.74°) = 1 sin z
⇒ z = 60.0°
(b) By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 ,
(b) They are equal.
1.52 sin φ = 1 sin 90°
(c) If i decreases, w will decrease and thus x
φ = 41.1°
will increase. Therefore, x will still be
9
larger than the critical angle and the ray
will not emerge from side BC.

Revision exercise 2
Concept traps (p.69)
1 T
10 Since medium A has a greater refractive index
2 F
than medium B, total internal reflection occurs
Total internal reflection occurs only when
when a light ray is directed from medium A to
light travels from an optically denser medium
medium B at the critical angle.
to an optically less dense medium, e.g. from
By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 ,
water to air, but not the reverse.
n B sin 90° = 1.7 sin 44.9°
3 F
n B = 1.20
The refractive index of medium B is 1.20.
Multiple-choice questions (p.69)
11 (a) Critical angle
4 A
1 1
= sin −1 = sin −1 = 37.3° By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 ,
n 1.65
(b) Maximum value of θ 1.4 sin θ = 1 sin 30°
= 90° − 37.3° = 52.7° ⇒ θ = 20.9°

12 5 C

When a light ray passes through the

13 (a) Apply n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 .
rectangular glass block as shown,
On side AB,
1.5 sin w = 1 sin 60°

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

sin p sin s
= a
sin q sin r
Since q = r, we have p = s. b
b
∴ The incident ray and the emergent ray
should travel in the same direction.
sin p c
According to n g = , if n g increases, q
sin q Apply n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 .
decreases, i.e. the new path will bend more We can assume
towards the normal than the original path. n P sin a = n Q sin b = n R sin c = k (a constant)
6 C Then,
7 C k k k
nP = , nQ = , nR =
sin a sin b sin c
By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 ,
Since b > a > c, we have n Q < n P < n R .
n 1 sin 40° = 1.64 sin (90° − 54.8°)
∴ (1) is incorrect.
n 1 = 1.47
Since n Q < n R , Q is optically less dense than
The refractive index of oil is 1.47.
R.
8 B
∴ (2) is incorrect.
9 B
c Since n P < n R , light travels slower in R than in
By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 and n = ,
v P.
c c ∴ (3) is correct.
sin θ1 = sin θ 2
v1 v2
15 A
v
sin θ 1 = 1 sin θ 2 Slope of graph for Z > slope of graph for Y
v2
> slope of graph for X
2 × 108
= sin 20° ⇒ refractive index of Z > refractive index of Y
1.5 × 108
> refractive index of X
θ 1 = 27.1°
Total internal reflection occurs only when
The angle of refraction is 27.1°.
light travels from a medium of greater
10 A
sin C sin 35° refractive index to a medium of lower
=
sin 90° sin 70° refractive index.
⇒ C = 37.6° ≈ 38° ∴ Total internal reflection would not occur
The critical angle is 38°. when light travels from X to Y.
11 C 16 B
12 A
By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 ,
1.67 sin (90° − θ) = 1.54 sin 90°
θ = 22.8°
13 B
14 B

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

1
When a light ray passes through the = sin −1 1M
n
rectangular glass block as shown,
1
sin p sin s = sin −1
= 1.33
sin q sin r
= 48.8° 1A
Since q = r, we have p = s.
(c) As the refractive index of air is lower
∴ The incident ray and the emergent ray
than that of water, 1A
should travel in the same direction.
sin p c total internal reflection will not occur no
=n=
sin q v matter what the angle of incidence is.
v sin p 1A
⇒ sin q =
c 23 (a) The refractive index of the rod is very
As Y travels faster than X in the block, q is close to that of the oil. 1A
larger in the path of Y than in the path of X. (b) 1.47 1A
17 (HKCEE 2007 Paper 2 Q13) c
(c) By n = , 1M
18 (HKCEE 2009 Paper 2 Q15) v
c 3.00 × 108
19 (HKCEE 2011 Paper 2 Q39) v= = = 2.04 × 108 m s−1 1A
n 1.47
20 (HKDSE 2014 Paper 1A Q15)
The speed of light in Pyrex is
2.04 × 108 m s−1.
Conventional questions (p.72)
24
21 (a) The light ray bends towards the normal
when it passes from medium X to oil.
1A
This implies that medium X is optically
less dense than oil. 1A
(b) By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 , 1M
(Ray refracted towards normal at air-oil
n 1 sin 37° = 1.47 sin 33°
interface) 1A
n 1 = 1.33 1A
(Ray refracted away from normal at oil-water
The refractive index of X is 1.33.
interface) 1A
c
(c) By n = ,
v
1M Apply n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 . 1M
c 3.00 × 108 At the air-oil interface,
v= = = 2.26 × 108 m s−1 1A
n 1.33 1.47 sin p = 1 sin 50°
The speed of light in medium X is ⇒ p = 31.4° 1A
−1
2.26 × 10 m s .
8
q = p = 31.4° 1A
22 (a) By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 , 1M At the oil-water interface,
1.33 sin θ = 1 sin (90° − 55°) 1.47 sin 31.4° = 1.33 sin r
⇒ θ = 25.5° 1A ⇒ r = 35.2° 1A
The angle of refraction in water is 25.5°.
(b) Critical angle for the air-water interface
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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

25 (a) Therefore, the angle of the cone

increases. 1A
(ii) Consider a ray travels from air to
oil with an angle of incidence of
90°.
Let n o and n s be the refractive
indices of oil and seawater
respectively, θ o and θ s be the
(Correct drawing of rays) 1A
angles that the ray makes with the
(Correct position of the image) 1A
normals in oil and seawater
(b) The letters will appear even higher. 1A
respectively.
26 (a) Dispersion 1A
Apply n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 . 1M
(b) White light is composed of a mixture of
At the air-oil interface,
a whole range of colours. 1A
1 sin 90° = n o sin θ o
Different colours of light travel at
At the oil-seawater interface,
different speeds in the prism. 1A
n o sin θ o = n s sin θ s
Therefore, they are refracted by different
From the above two equations,
amounts 1A
1 sin 90° = n s sin θ s 1M
and separated from each other.
This equation is exactly the same as
(c)
the case when a ray travels from air
to seawater directly.
red ∴ The angle of the cone remains
unchanged. 1A
violet 28 (a) Reflection occurs at P. 1A
Refraction and 1A
(Correct drawing of rays) 1A
reflection occur at Q. 1A
(Correct labels of coloured light) 1A
0.8 (b) (i) Total internal reflection 1A
27 (a) tan 49° = 1M
d (ii)
⇒ d = 0.695 m 1A
Ricky’s eyes are 0.695 m below the light ray from
an object
water surface.
(b) (i) As the refractive index of fresh
water is smaller than that of reflected
seawater, 1A light ray

light rays bend less when they (Total internal reflection occurs on
travel from air to fresh water. the correct interface) 1A
1A (Correct ray diagram) 1A

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

(iii) A prism does not form multiple (c)

images while a mirror does. 1A
29 (a) The refractive index of the sugar air
glass
solution decreases as the concentration
decreases. 1A
(b) (i) When the laser beam points down
at an angle, it travels from medium
of smaller refractive index to
medium of greater refractive index.
(Correct direction of ray after entering
1A
the air bubble) 1A
Total internal reflection occurs only
(Correct direction of ray after leaving the
when light travels from a medium
air bubble) 1A
of greater refractive index to a
1
medium of lower refractive index. 31 (a) Refractive index n = 1M
sin C
1A 1
=
Therefore, total internal reflection sin 24.4°
will not take place. 1A = 2.42 1A
(ii) (b) If a light ray travels from diamond to oil
with an angle of incidence equal to the
critical angle C′, the angle of refraction
is 90°.
By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 , 1M
2.42 sin C′ = 1.40 sin 90°
(Curved downwards) 1A ⇒ C′ = 35.3° 1A
30 (a) By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 , 1M The critical angle is 35.3°.
1.62 sin 20° = 1 sin θ 2 (c) The critical angle for the diamond-oil
⇒ θ 2 = 33.6° 1A interface is greater than that for the
The angle of refraction in the air is diamond-air interface. 1A
33.6°. More light rays escape from the diamond
(b) Total internal reflection occurs only at where the oil droplet adheres to, 1A
when light travels from a medium of so the diamond loses its brilliance.
greater refractive index to a medium of (d)
lower refractive index. 1A
As the refractive index of air is lower
than that of glass, 1A
the ray will not undergo total internal
reflection in the bubble. 1A

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

(Bent away from the normal when Experiment questions (p.75)

entering the oil droplet) 1A 35 (a) sin i sin r
(No change in direction when leaving 0.174 0.139
the oil droplet) 1A 0.342 0.259
32 (a) 0.5 0.342
0.643 0.438
0.766 0.515
0.866 0.588
0.940 0.629
(Correct direction of bending) 1A
0.985 0.669
(b) The surface of a ground glass window is
not smooth. 1A
When parallel light rays pass through the
ground glass, they are refracted
irregularly and leave the glass in
different directions. 1A
As a result, clear images cannot be seen
through the glass. 1A
33 (a) (i) By n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2 , 1M
1.00 sin x = 1.52 sin 25°
sin x = 0.642 1M
x = 40° 1A
(ii) y = 90° − 25° = 65° 1A
(iii) If the angle of incidence at P is
equal to the critical angle C, the (Correct labelled axes) 1A
angle of refraction is 90°. (Best-fit line) 1A
1.52 sin C = 1.00 sin 90° Refractive index of Perspex
⇒ C = 41° 1A = slope of the graph
Since y > C, light does not refract 0.95 − 0.44
= 1M
into the air at point P. 1A 0.65 − 0.3

(iv) (1) Total internal reflection 1A = 1.46 1A

(2) Equal 1A (b) There may be error in measuring angles.

(b) The cladding avoids damage to the 1A

central glass core. 1A If only one pair of data is used to

34 (HKDSE 2014 Paper 1B Q5) calculate the refractive index, the

percentage error may be significant. 1A

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3A Wave Motion I Chapter 2 Refraction of Light

(c) The error may be due to inaccurate

measurement 1A
or uneven texture within Perspex. 1A
36 (a) Place the semicircular glass block on the
full circle protractor so that the block’s
centre is right above the protractor’s
centre. 1A
Direct a ray of light at the block’s centre.
1A
Measure the angle of incidence i and the
angle of refraction r. Repeat with
different values of i. 1A
Plot a graph of sin i against sin r. 1A
The graph is a straight line passing
through the origin. This verifies that
sin i
is a constant. 1A
sin r
(b) Direct a ray of light from the curved
edge of the block towards the block’s
centre. 1A
Vary the angle of incidence. 1A
When the angle of refraction becomes
90°, the angle of incidence is equal to
the critical angle. 1A
37 (HKCEE 2008 Paper 1 Q10)

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