Topic Menu

Cyber-chess a chess instruction site

GCSE questions on refraction

Q1. A student investigated the refraction of light in the laboratory.

(a)     Use a ruler to draw the continuation of path of the light ray shown on the diagram below. You must show how it passes into and out of the clear plastic block.

(3 marks)

 

 

 

 

(b)     The student measured the angle of refraction (r) for several different angles of incidence (i) for light entering the plastic block. The results are shown on a graph.

 

(i)      What two conclusions can be made about the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction from the graph shown above?

(2 marks)

(ii) This second graph shows the student's results for light passing from air into plastic. This graph also shows the results for light passing from air into water.

 

How does the refraction of light passing from air into water compare to the refraction of light passing from air into plastic?

(1 mark)

(c)     In some countries people are too poor to pay for electricity. Some people living in small houses with no natural light are using bottles filled with water instead of light bulbs. The bottles are fitted into small holes in the roof of the house. Sunlight refracts as it passes into and out of the bottle, causing light to spread into the room. This simple device gives about the same amount of light as a 50 W light bulb.

(i)      Suggest one way this simple device can help improve the lives of the people using it.

(1 mark)

(ii)     The increasing use of energy resources to generate electricity within developed countries has ethical implications. Suggest one ethical implication.

(1 mark)

(Total 8 marks)