1

1 A candle is placed in front of a plane mirror. An image of the candle is formed in the mirror.

Circle the words from the list that describe the image of the candle.

enlarged diminished same size upside-down upright

[2]

[Total: 2]

2 The diagram shows a ray of red light striking one side of a glass prism.

air air

red light
glass

(a) On the diagram, draw a line to indicate the path of the red light travelling through the glass
prism and emerging into the air. [2]

(b) Explain why the red light follows the path you have drawn in (a).

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

[Total: 3]

3 The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror.

plane
mirror
O

ray of light
B

(a) State the name of the dashed line OB in the diagram.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(b) On the diagram, indicate the angle of reflection by drawing an X. [1]

(c) State the law of reflection.

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

[Total: 3]

4 A student investigates refraction through a parallel-sided glass block. The diagram shows a ray of
red light travelling from the air through the glass block.

line X
ray of red light
48°
air

61°
glass
29° block

air

(a) Using the information in the diagram, state the angle of refraction for the ray of red light travelling
from air into the glass block.

angle of refraction = .............................................. ° [1]

(b) Using the information in the diagram, state the term used for line X.

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

[Total: 2]
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5 The diagram shows a plan view of a room. There is a plane mirror on one wall and a picture across
the whole of wall AB.

plane mirror
A

X
B
(plan view)

A person is standing at point X and is looking at the mirror. The person cannot see all of the picture
on wall AB reflected in the mirror.

There is a point P on wall AB which is the closest point to A that the person can see reflected in
the mirror.

State two properties of the image formed by the mirror.

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

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

[Total: 2]
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6 The diagram shows a plan view of a room. There is a plane mirror on one wall and a picture across
the whole of wall AB.

plane mirror
A

X
B

(plan view)

A person is standing at point X and is looking at the mirror. The person cannot see all of the picture
on wall AB reflected in the mirror.

There is a point P on wall AB which is the closest point to A that the person can see reflected in
the mirror.

On the diagram, draw a reflected ray and an incident ray to show the position of the point P. [2]

[Total: 2]

7 A boy looks at the image of a clock in a plane mirror. The diagram shows the mirror, the clock and
the position of one of the boy’s eyes.

mirror

boy’s eye
clock

(a) On the diagram above, draw a ray of light from the clock, reflected to the boy’s eye.
[2]
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(b) On the diagram above, mark with an X the position of the image of the clock.
[1]

(c) State whether the image formed by the mirror is virtual or real.

Explain your answer.

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

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

(d) The diagram below shows the image of the clock seen by the boy.

The boy now looks directly at the clock.

On the diagram below, draw what the boy sees.

[1]

[Total: 5]
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8 The diagram shows a ray of light incident on a plane mirror at point X.

(not to scale)

On the diagram:

• draw the normal at point X and label the normal with the letter N

• draw the ray reflected from point X. [2]

[Total: 2]

9 The diagram shows a ray of light incident on a plane mirror at point X.

(not to scale)

Determine the value of the angle of reflection for the ray of light at point X.

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

[Total: 1]

10 The diagram shows light reflected by a plane mirror.

 7

(a) State which angle, A, B, C or D, is the angle of incidence. .................................. [1]

(b) State which angle, A, B, C or D, is the angle of reflection. ................................... [1]

[Total: 2]

11 The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror at point P.

(not to scale)

(a) Determine the value of the angle of incidence for the ray of light at point P.

angle of incidence = .............................................. ° [1]

(b) On the diagram,

• draw a normal at point P

• draw the ray reflected at point P
• determine the angle of reflection at point P.

angle of reflection = .............................................. ° [3]

[Total: 4]
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12 The diagram shows red light travelling from air into a prism made of diamond. The path of the red
light is incomplete.

(not to scale)

The refractive index of diamond is 2.42.

Calculate angle x.

angle x = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

13 The diagram shows two rays of light X and Y leaving an object O. The rays strike a plane mirror.
Ray X is reflected as shown.

(a) On the diagram, draw the normal at the point where ray X strikes the mirror. [1]
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(b) On the diagram, draw the path of ray Y after it strikes the mirror. [1]

[Total: 2]

14 The diagram shows a mirror periscope. The periscope is used to view a golfer over the heads of
other people. The periscope has two plane mirrors each at an angle of 45° to the vertical.

(not to scale)

(a) On the diagram:

1. Continue the ray of light from the golfer towards the upper mirror of the periscope.

2. Draw and label the normal at the point where the ray strikes the mirror.

[1]

(b) On the diagram, continue the ray of light after reflection at the upper mirror until it leaves the
periscope.

[1]

(c) State the law of reflection used to deduce the position of the ray of light after striking the mirrors.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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[Total: 3]

15 The diagram shows a ray of light travelling through a glass block and then reflecting from a mirror.

The ray of light in the diagram changes direction as it enters the glass block. State the name of this
effect and explain why it happens.

name of effect...........................................................................................................................

explanation................................................................................................................................

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

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

[Total: 2]
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16 The diagram shows a ray of light travelling through a glass block and then reflecting from a mirror.

Use the diagram to identify the three angles in the list. Place the correct letter in the box to indicate
each angle.

angle of incidence

angle of reflection

angle of refraction
[3]

[Total: 3]
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17 The diagram shows a ray of light travelling through a glass block and then reflecting from a mirror.

State the term used for the dashed lines drawn in the diagram.

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

[Total: 1]

18 The diagram shows a ray of red light incident on one side of a glass prism in air.

For red light, the refractive index of glass is nR.

(a) The angle of incidence is 53° and the angle of refraction in the glass is 30°.

(i) Calculate nR.

nR = .............................................. [2]
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(ii) On the diagram, sketch a line to indicate the path of the red light when it emerges from
the glass prism. Label this path R. [1]

(b) For violet light, the refractive index nV of glass is slightly larger than nR.

A ray of violet light is incident on the prism along the same path as the ray of red light.

On the diagram, sketch a line to indicate the path of the violet light in the prism and when it
emerges into the air. Label this path V.

[1]

[Total: 4]

19 Light passes from a beaker of water into air.

(a) State the speed of light in air.

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

(b) The refractive index of water is 1.3.

Calculate the speed of light in water.

speed of light in water = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 4]

20 Explain why the quantity refractive index does not have a unit.

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

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

[Total: 1]

21 The diagram shows an empty container and an observer’s eye. There is a small coin at
position O. The observer is unable to see the coin.
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The observer and the coin stay in the same position and the container is filled with water. The
observer can now see the coin.

(a) Explain why the coin can be seen by the observer.

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

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

(b) State the name of the wave process which occurs as the light passes from the water into the
air.

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

(c) Explain why the image of the coin is a virtual image.

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

[Total: 4]

22 The diagram shows a ray of light that is reflected by a mirror.

(a) State the name of line X shown on the diagram.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(b) State the name of angle Y shown on the diagram.

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

(c) A student moves the ray of light and doubles the size of angle Y. State the effect on angle Z.

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

[Total: 3]

23 The diagram shows light approaching a boundary between two materials at speed v. The speed
of the light after crossing the boundary is 1.3 v.

(a) Determine the angle of incidence.

angle of incidence = .............................................. [1]

(b) Calculate the angle of refraction.

angle of refraction = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 4]
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14 8
24 Green light of frequency 5.7 × 10 Hz is travelling in air at a speed of 3.0 × 10 m / s. The light is
incident on the surface of a transparent solid.

The diagram shows the wavefronts and the direction of travel of the light in the air.

The light travels more slowly in the transparent solid.

The refractive index of the transparent solid is 1.3.

The light is incident on the surface of the solid at an angle of incidence of 67°.

Calculate the angle of refraction of the light in the solid.

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

[Total: 2]
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25 The diagram shows parallel wavefronts of a light wave in ice. The wavefronts are incident on a
boundary with air.

8
The speed of the light wave in air is 3.0 × 10 m / s. The refractive index of the ice is 1.3.

Calculate the speed of the light wave in the ice.

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

[Total: 2]

26 The diagram shows parallel wavefronts of a light wave in ice. The wavefronts are incident on a
boundary with air.
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8
The speed of the light wave in air is 3.0 × 10 m / s. The refractive index of the ice is 1.3.

(a) On the diagram draw the wavefronts of the wave that passes into the air. [3]

(b) On the diagram draw arrows to show the direction of travel of the refracted wave. [1]

(c) On the diagram label the angle of incidence i and the angle of refraction r. [1]

[Total: 5]

27 A wave, in air, is incident on a glass block. The diagram shows the wavefronts at the air-glass
boundary. The arrow shows the direction of travel of the wavefronts.

The wave undergoes refraction at the air-glass boundary.

On the diagram draw the wavefronts of the refracted wave.

[3]

[Total: 3]

28 A ray of light in air is incident on a glass block. The light changes direction.

State
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(a) the name of this effect,

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

(b) the cause of this effect.

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

[Total: 2]
8
29 The speed of light in a block of glass is 1.9 × 10 m / s.

Calculate the refractive index of the glass.

refractive index = .............................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

30 The diagram shows a ray of light in water that is incident on a submerged, transparent plastic block.

State what happens to the speed of light as it enters the plastic block. Explain your answer.

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

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

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

[Total: 2]
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31 Light travelling in air enters a plastic block at an angle of incidence of 62°.

The plastic has a refractive index of 1.48.

plastic block

62°

ray of
light

What is the angle of refraction?

A 18° B 28° C 37° D 42°

[1]

[Total: 1]

32 The diagram shows a ray of light reflected from mirror 1 at point P and striking mirror 2 at point Q.

(a) On the diagram,

• clearly mark the position of the normal at Q,

• draw the ray reflected from point Q,
• mark the angle of reflection at Q using the letter r,

State the law you used to draw the reflected ray.

........................................................................................................................................... [4]
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(b) Compare the direction of the ray reflected from mirror 2 at Q with the direction of the ray incident
on mirror 1 at P. Tick one box.

The ray of light reflected from mirror 2 is

parallel to the incident ray at P,

perpendicular to the incident ray at P,

at an angle of 45° to the incident ray at P.

[1]

[Total: 5]

33 The diagram shows a plane mirror, a point object O and an observer’s eye.

(a) On the diagram, draw two rays from the object reflected to the observer’s eye.

[2]

(b) On the diagram, complete your drawing to determine the position of the image of the
object O.
Label this image I.

[2]

[Total: 4]
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34 Light passes into a glass block.

Which is the angle of refraction?

A
B
D
C

[1]

[Total: 1]

35 The diagram shows a ray of light incident on a glass block.

(a) On the diagram, continue the path of the ray into the block.

[1]

(b) On the diagram, clearly label the angle of incidence i and the angle of refraction r.

[2]

[Total: 3]

36 The diagram shows an overhead view of two cars approaching a road junction. A plane mirror helps
the drivers to see other cars.
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(a) A ray of light from car 1 is shown.

On the diagram, clearly draw the normal to the plane mirror where this ray hits the plane mirror.
Label the normal N.

[1]

(b) On the diagram, carefully draw the reflected ray of light.

[1]

(c) State the law used in your answer to (b).

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

(d) Can each driver see the other car?

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

Explain your answer.

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

[Total: 4]
8
37 The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 10 m / s.
8
The speed of light in a transparent liquid is 2.0 × 10 m / s.

A ray of light is incident on the surface of the liquid at an angle of incidence of 40°.
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(a) Calculate the refractive index of the liquid.

refractive index = ......................................... [2]

(b) Calculate the angle of refraction in the liquid.

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

[Total: 4]
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38 The diagram shows a side view of an object at the bottom of a tank of liquid. Light travels slower
in this liquid than in air.

On the diagram, draw two rays from the object into the air. Use these rays to locate the image.
Label this image I.

[3]

[Total: 3]

39 The diagram shows a ray of light incident on a glass block at A. The critical angle of the glass is
41°.

(a) On the diagram, without calculation, continue the ray from point B until it leaves the glass
block.

[2]
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(b) Calculate the refractive index of the glass.

refractive index = ......................................... [2]

[Total: 4]