Assignment 1 (Module: Light and Colour)

IJSO Training: Light and Colour

Assignment 1

1. An optical fiber is composed of a glass core with a refractive index of n (relative

1
to that of air) surrounded by a coating material with a refractive index of n < n
2 1

(also relative to that of air). A beam of light enters the fiber from air at an angle θ
with respect to the fiber axis. The greatest possible value of θ for which a ray can
travel down the fiber satisfies

–1 2 2 1/2 2 2 2 2 2
(A) θ = cos (n – n ) (B) sin θ = n – n (C) cos θ = n – n
1 2 1 2 1 2
–1 2 2
(D) θ = sin (n – n )
1 2

(IJSO 2005)
Assignment 1 (Module: Light and Colour)

2. As shown in the following figure, a light ray traveling in air is incident

perpendicular to the side a of an equilateral prism with index of refraction 1.5.
Which side will the light beam emerge and what is the angle θ between the
incident ray and the emerging ray?

a
b

Emergent side θ
(A) b θ = 60°
(B) b θ = 30°
(C) c θ = 60°
(D) c θ = 30°

(IJSO 2007)

3. By using the lens equation, determine the focal length of a concave lens which
produces an image which is found 6.0 cm from the lens when the object is 8.5 cm
from the lens.