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Wave-particle duality (A-level only)

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Question 3

Newton used his corpuscular theory of light to explain refraction at a boundary between air and a denser medium such as water.

According to Newton's theory, an attractive force acts on the corpuscles perpendicular to the boundary as they enter the denser medium.

a.

Under Newton's model, what happens to the components of the velocity of the corpuscles when they enter the denser medium?

Select one option:

  • A: Parallel component is unchanged; perpendicular component increases.
  • B: Parallel component is unchanged; perpendicular component decreases.
  • C: Parallel component increases; perpendicular component is unchanged.
  • D: Parallel component decreases; perpendicular component is unchanged.
[1]
b.

Compare Newton's prediction of the speed of light in a denser medium to Huygens' wave theory prediction, and state the experimental evidence that resolved this debate.

[4]
Markscheme

Wave-particle duality (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Wave-particle duality (A-level only)

26 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Wave-particle duality (A-level only), covering Newton's corpuscular theory of light (A-level only), Significance of Young's double slits experiment (A-level only), Electromagnetic waves (A-level only), The discovery of photoelectricity (A-level only), Wave-particle duality (A-level only), and Electron microscopes (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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