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The ray of light from the ray box should be as narrow as possible - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
The ray of light from the ray box should be as narrow as possible. Explain why using a wider ray would give less accurate results than using a narrower ray.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The ray of light from the ray box should be as narrow as possible - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why using a wider ray would give less accurate results
Answer
Using a wider ray can lead to a larger area of incidence on the glass surface, making it harder to pinpoint the exact point where the light enters the medium. This uncertainty in the entry point can create larger potential measurement errors when determining angles. In contrast, a narrow ray minimizes this uncertainty, allowing for more precise measurements of the angle of incidence and refraction.