A student investigates the refraction of a ray of light passing through a rectangular transparent block $A B C D$ to determine its refractive index $n$ .

The student sets up the experiment with an angle of incidence $θ=45∘\theta = 45^\circ$ at the first surface $A B$ . After tracing the paths of the incident and emergent rays, they record the following measurements:

The length of the refracted ray inside the block is $6.8\text{ cm}$ .
The perpendicular distance between the incident ray's projected path and the emergent ray is $2.0\text{ cm}$ .
The distance along the bottom surface $C D$ from the normal line to the exit point of the ray is $3.2\text{ cm}$ .

Answer the following questions:

Calculate the ratio $dl\frac{d}{l}$ .

Suggest how the student can adapt this experiment to check if this ratio $dl\frac{d}{l}$ is reproducible.

Suggest one potential source of inaccuracy in this optical ray-tracing experiment, even if it is performed with care.

The refractive index $n$ of the block can be calculated using the formula:

\times \frac{l}{L}

Calculate the value of $n$ to 2 decimal places.

A student investigates the refraction of a ray of light passing through a rectangular transparent block $A B C D$ to determine its refractive index $n$ .

The length of the refracted ray inside the block is $6.8\text{ cm}$ .
The perpendicular distance between the incident ray's projected path and the emergent ray is $2.0\text{ cm}$ .
The distance along the bottom surface $C D$ from the normal line to the exit point of the ray is $3.2\text{ cm}$ .

Answer the following questions:

Calculate the ratio $dl\frac{d}{l}$ .

Suggest how the student can adapt this experiment to check if this ratio $dl\frac{d}{l}$ is reproducible.

Suggest one potential source of inaccuracy in this optical ray-tracing experiment, even if it is performed with care.

The refractive index $n$ of the block can be calculated using the formula:

\times \frac{l}{L}

Calculate the value of $n$ to 2 decimal places.

3.2.2 Refraction of light

Question 36

Markscheme

3.2.2 Refraction of light

Question 36

Markscheme

3.2.2 Refraction of light

Question 36

3.2.2 Refraction of light Questions

3.2.2 Refraction of light

Question 36

3.2.2 Refraction of light Questions