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A student is investigating the refraction of light - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 5
A student is investigating the refraction of light. Figure 5 shows part of the apparatus and the angles to be measured. Figure 6 shows the student’s results. (a) ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student is investigating the refraction of light - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
On the graph in Figure 6, draw the best fit curve.
Answer
To draw the best fit curve on the graph, analyze the data points by visually assessing the trend of the points. The curve should start from the origin and smoothly connect the points, ensuring it represents the overall trend of the data.
Step 2
Use the graph in Figure 6 to estimate the value of angle r when angle i is 80°.
Answer
By locating 80° on the x-axis of the graph in Figure 6 and drawing a vertical line to intersect the curve, follow the intersection point horizontally to the y-axis. This will give an approximate value of angle r. For this example, let’s assume angle r is estimated at approximately 42°.
Step 3
Describe how angle r changes with angle i for the results shown on the graph in Figure 6.
Answer
The relationship between angle r and angle i is such that angle r increases as angle i increases, but not in a proportional manner. The increase in angle r becomes less significant for the same increase in angle i, indicating that angle r is always less than angle i.
Step 4
Which row of the table describes what happens to the wave velocity and to the wavelength of the light when the light travels from air to glass?
Answer
When light travels from air to glass, the wave velocity decreases and the wavelength also decreases. Therefore, the correct choice is A: both wave velocity and wavelength decrease.
Step 5
Explain the decrease in intensity as the light travels from P to Q.
Answer
As the light travels from P to Q, several factors can contribute to the decrease in intensity. The light undergoes refraction, causing some of it to scatter at the boundary of air and glass, leading to loss in intensity. Additionally, absorption by the glass block can also contribute to the reduction of brightness, causing the intensity at Q to be lower than that at P.
Step 6
Which of these sketch graphs represents the speed of light as it travels from P to Q?
Answer
The correct graph would show that the speed of light decreases as it enters the glass from air. Therefore, graph options that illustrate a decrease in speed upon entering a denser medium like glass from air would be correct.