1 Fig. 6.1 shows part of the path of a ray of light PQ travelling in an optical fibre.

glass

Fig. 6.1

PQ undergoes total internal reflection at Q.

(a) Explain what is meant by total internal reflection, and state the conditions under which it
occurs.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Carefully complete the path of the ray of light, until it reaches the end R of the optical fibre.
[2]

[Total: 5]

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2 Fig. 9.1 shows three rays of light, parallel to the axis of a thin converging lens.

The rays strike the first surface of the lens. F1 and F2 are the two principal foci of the lens.

F2 F1

Fig. 9.1

(a) Describe and explain what happens to the top ray as it enters the lens.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) On Fig. 9.1, use a ruler to,

(i) complete the three rays through the lens, until they reach about 5 cm to the right of the
lens, [2]
(ii) draw a fourth ray, parallel to the others on the left of the lens, which passes through F2,
until it reaches about 5 cm to the right of the lens. [1]

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(c) A lens such as that shown in Fig. 9.1 can be used as a magnifying glass.

(i) On Fig. 9.1, show with an X where the object could be positioned for the lens to be used
as a magnifying glass. [1]

(ii) State 3 characteristics of the image formed by a magnifying glass.

1. ........................................................................................................................................

2. ........................................................................................................................................

3. .................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 9]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
3 In Fig. 9.1, a ray of light TRS is shown entering, passing through and leaving a semicircular glass
block.

glass
air

Fig. 9.1

(a) As the light enters the block, its frequency remains constant.

State what happens to

(i) the speed of the light as it enters the block,

...........................................................................................................................................

(ii) the wavelength of the light as it enters the block.

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) The refractive index of the glass is 1.48.

The speed of light in air is 3.00 × 108 m / s.

Calculate the speed of the light in the glass. State the equation you use.

speed = ......................................................... [2]

(c) Another ray of light enters the block along UR.

On Fig. 9.1, draw a line to show what happens to this ray after it has reached R. [2]

[Total: 6]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 In an optics lesson, a Physics student traces the paths of three rays of light near the boundary
between medium A and air. The student uses a protractor to measure the various angles.

Fig. 8.1 illustrates the three measurements.

air

70 180

180 170 1
0 10
10 0
medium
60 1 A
20

60
20
1

1
0

5 0 40
3
0

30
15

14
40

0
0

13
4

50
1

0
50 120 0 0
60
110
100 7 0 6 13
8 0 2 0
70 0 1
80 90 100 11

ray
1

air
70 180

180 170 1
0 10
10 0

medium
A
60 1
20

60 1
20
1
0

5
3
0

01 0
30
15

40

40
0

13
4
4

50
1

01
0 0 20 50
0 6 13
110
60 100 80 7 2 0
70 0 1
80 90 100 11

ray
2

air
70 180

180 170 1
0 10
10 0

medium
A
60 1
20

60 1
20
1
0

5
3
0

01 0
30
15

40

40
0

13
4

ray
4

50
1

0
50 120
3 0 0
60
110
100 7 0 6 13
8 0 2 0
70 0 1
80 90 100 11

Fig. 8.1
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(a) State which is the optically denser medium, A or air, and how you can tell this.

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State in which medium the light travels the faster, and how you know this.

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) State the critical angle of medium A.

................................................... [1]

(d) State the full name for what is happening to ray 3.

................................................... [1]

(e) The refractive index of medium A is 1.49.

Calculate the value of the angle of refraction of ray 1, showing all your working.

angle of refraction = ................................................ [2]

(f) The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m / s.

Calculate the speed of light in medium A, showing all your working.

speed of light = ................................................ [2]

[Total: 8]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
5 Fig. 8.1 shows a thin converging lens. The two principal foci are shown.

principal
F2 F1 axis

Fig. 8.1

A vertical object, 2 cm tall, is to be positioned to the left of the lens, with one end on the
principal axis.

On Fig. 8.1,

(a) draw the object in a position which will produce a virtual image, labelling the object with
the letter O, [1]

(b) draw two rays showing how the virtual image is formed, [2]

(c) draw in the image, labelling it with the letter I. [1]

[Total: 4]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
6 Fig. 6.1 shows an object, the tip of which is labelled O, placed near a lens L.

The two principal foci of the lens are F1 and F2.

L O

F2 F1

Fig. 6.1

(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw the paths of two rays from the tip of the object so that they pass
through the lens and continue beyond.

Complete the diagram to locate the image of the tip of the object. Draw in the whole
image and label it I. [3]

(b) Describe image I.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 6]

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