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3.2 Light

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Question 64

A student has a rectangular transparent plastic block and wishes to determine an accurate value for its refractive index nnn, using the formula:

n=sin⁡isin⁡r n = \frac{\sin i}{\sin r} n=sinrsini​

where iii is the angle of incidence in air and rrr is the angle of refraction inside the block.

The apparatus available includes:

  • a rectangular plastic block
  • a ray box with a single-slit plate and a low-voltage power supply
  • sheets of A4 plain paper

Write a plan for the experiment.

You should:

  • list any additional apparatus needed
  • draw a diagram of how the apparatus will be arranged, clearly labelling the normal line, the angle of incidence iii, and the angle of refraction rrr
  • write a method for carrying out the experiment, including how the value of nnn will be determined
  • state the precautions which should be taken to obtain thin, clearly defined light rays
  • state the precautions which should be taken to ensure that the measurements of the angles are accurate
[6]
Markscheme

3.2 Light Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /3.2 Light

216 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 3.2 Light, covering 3.2.1a Reflection of light, 3.2.1b Images in a plane mirror, 3.2.2 Refraction of light, 3.2.2a Refraction of light, 3.2.2b Total internal reflection, 3.2.2c Refractive index and critical angle, 3.2.2d Optical fibres, 3.2.3a Converging and diverging lenses, 3.2.3b Ray diagrams and the nature of images, 3.2.3c Virtual images and the magnifying glass, 3.2.3d Correcting long-sightedness and short-sightedness, and 3.2.4 Dispersion of light. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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