ASSAFWAH PRIVATE SCHOOLS

IGCSE NOTES- PHYSICS

LIGHT
Prepared by M.Govindaraj email: m_govindaraj@yahoo.co.uk
1. Light is a form of energy.
2. Light is a wave motion, rather like the water waves you see on a pond.
3. Light travels at a very high speed about million time faster than the speed of sound.
4. Speed of light is 300 million metres per second or 3 x 108 m/s.
Ray of light
5. Light travels in a straight line, called rectilinear.
6. Light is represented by a line with arrow, called ray of light.
7.
8.
9.

If all rays are parallel they are called parallel rays.

If all rays are converging to a point, they are called converging rays
If all rays are diverging to a point, they are called diverging rays.

Parallel rays

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Diverging rays
Converging
rays
Object that produces their own visible light is called luminous sources ex the Sun,
other stars, lamps, televisions etc.
Objects that are illuminated by light from other sources and reflected it into our eyes,
called non luminous objects ex the moon, paper, walls, stone and most of objects.
Transparent Object. The objects in which light passes through it is called transparent
object. Ex Glass, pure water etc.
Opaque Object: The object in which light can not pass through is called Opaque object.
Ex Wood, card board, stone, wall, metal, etc.
Translucent Object : The object in which light passes partially is called translucent
object Ex water, paper, sun glass etc.
Shadow : Shadows are formed when some rays of light continue to travel in straight lines,
which other rays are stopped by an object.
Eclipse is good example for shadow.
We can see an object only if light from it enters our eyes.
REFLECTION OF LIGHT:
The process of returning light back to same medium is called reflection.
The reflection is two types 1. Regular reflection 2. Irregular reflection(diffused reflection)

Regular Reflection

Irregular Reflection

21. The regular reflection reflects parallel rays of light as parallel rays, while irregular
reflection reflects parallel light rays into different directions, as shown in figure.
22. Regular reflection is from regular smooth surface, while irregular reflection is from
irregular surface.
23. The ray which incident on a surface is called incident ray.
24. The ray which reflected from a medium is called reflected ray. An imaginary line drawn
perpendicular to the mirror at the point where the incident ray strikes it is called the
normal.
25. The angle of incidence is the angle between incident ray and normal.
26. Similarly angle of reflection is angle between reflected ray and normal.
Normal

Incidence ray
Angle of incidence

Reflected ray
Angle of Reflection

Mirror
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.

36.

37.

The thing which placed in front of a mirror is called Object.

The thing which is seen/formed in the mirror is called Image.
Types of Images : The images are two types a) real image & b) virtual image.
Real image is the one which can be focused on a screen. Ex Cinema image.
Virtual image is the one which can not be focused on the screen. Ex Image seen in plane
mirror.
Reflection does not changes speed & wavelength of the light.
The image from a plane mirror can not be focused on a screen.
LAWS OF REFLECTION:
1. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. i = r
2. The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie in the same plane.
Nature of Image formed by plane mirror.
a. Size of image formed by mirror is same as object.
b. Virtual image
c. Erect image
d. Laterally inverted
e. Distance of image from the mirror is same as that of object.
If we place an object 30cm away in front of a mirror, then the image formed is 30cm
behind the mirror. The figure above shows how the reflected rays appear to come from the
image. Thus the line joining the object to the image is at right angles to the mirror. The
image in the plane mirror is laterally inverted.
Complete the ray diagram and locate the position of image

38. Periscope : Periscope is an optical instrument used in submarines & tanks so that people
below the surface can see what is happening above the surface.

Mirror

39. REFRACTION OF LIGHT: Refraction of is the process of light travel from one
medium into other with change of its properties.
40. Although light travels in straight lines in one transparent material, such as in air, if it
passes into a different material, such as water, it changes direction at the boundary
between the two. The bending of light when it passes from one medium to other is called
REFRACTION.

air

glass
Angle of refraction r

i
A. A ray of light is bent towards the normal when it enters from less denser medium
into an optically denser medium at an angle (from air to glass)
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B. A ray is bent away from the normal when it enters an optically less dense
medium(from glass to air)
C. A ray emerging from a parallel sided block is parallel to the ray entering , but is
displaced sideways
D. A ray traveling along the normal is not refracted.
41. Law of Refraction :
1. The incident ray, refracted ray, normal and emergent ray are all lie in same plane.
2. The Ratio of sine angle of incidence and sine angle of refraction is a constant, called
refractive index. This law is called Snells Law. It is also called as sine law.
Sin i
Sin r
Speed of light in vacuum / air
Speed of light in the subs tan ce

Refractive index of a substance n =

Refractive index of a substance n =

42. When light under goes refraction, the speed of light in denser medium is less than that in
less denser medium. More the density of the medium less the speed.
43. Similarly wavelength of the light decreases when it travels from less denser medium to
more denser medium.
44. Refractive index of different materials are given below
Material
Refractive index
Speed of light
x 108 (m/s)
Air
1
3
Water
1.33
2.25
Perpex
1.5
2
Glass
1.5
2
diamond
2.4
1.2
45. Speed & wavelength of light are less in air than that in water/glass.
46. Glittering of diamond is because of high refractive index. The light under goes multiple
reflection inside the diamond.
CRITICAL ANGLE & TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION:
47. When light passes at small angles of incidence from an optically dense to a less dense
medium i.e from glass to air, there is a strong reflected ray and a weak ray reflected back
into the denser medium. As shown in figure 1.
48. Increasing the angle of incidence at denser medium increases the angle of reflection(ray 1
in figure). At a certain angle of incidence, called the critical angle c, the angle of
refraction is 900.(ray 2). For angles of incidence greater than c(ray 3), the refracted ray
disappears and all the incident light is reflected inside the denser medium .like in figure.
The light does not cross the boundary and is said to undergo Total Internal Reflection.
r

air

i
2

>C

water

49. Conditions for Total Internal Reflection:

1. Light should travel from denser to less denser medium
2. Angle of incidence at denser medium should be greater than critical angle.
50. At critical angle r = 90 i = C
sin r

sin 90

Refractive index n = sin i sin C sin C n = sin C

51. Application of Total Internal Reflection
1. Optical illusion
2. Mirage
3. Light ray passing through optical fibre.
4. Refraction of light through prism.
52. Critical angle is constant for a medium. Critical angle for glass is 420.
53. Total Internal Reflection of light through a prism
A

Total Internal Reflection through prism

B
B

A
B

Light through optic fibre

LENSES
54. Lenses are spherical surfaces. There are 2 types of lenses.
a. A lens which is thicker at the center than at the edges is called a convex lens. The
rays obtained after a convex lens are converging so we say it as a converging lens as
shown in the figure below.
b. The lens which is thinner at the center is called a concave lens. The ray obtained after
refraction through concave lens is diverging so we say it as a diverging lens.

Convex or
Converging lens

Concave or
diverging lens

Plano convex

Plano concave

55. Terms in Lenses:

1. Optic centre of a lens(O): The geometric centre of a lens is called optic centre.
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2. Centre of curvature(C or 2F): The centre of sphere in which the lens is a

part(obtained by extending the lens) is called centre of curvature.
3. Radius of curvature (R): The radius of the sphere in which the lens is a part.
4. Principle Focus (F): A point in which all parallel light rays converge after refraction
through lens(or appears to be starting from it for cancave lens). This is also called as focus
5. Principle Axis: An imaginary light rays passing through centre of curvature and
principle focus is called principle axis.
6. Focal length (f): The distance between optic centre and principle focus is called focal
length. It is represented as f.
Convex lens

F
Principle axis

2F

C or 2F

56. Rules to draw ray diagram

1. Any ray parallel to principle axis after refraction it will pass through focus.
2F

Rule 1

2F

2F

Rule 2
F

Rule 3
2. Any ray passing through principle axis after refraction if will pass parallel to principle
axis.
3. Any ray passing through optic centre after refraction it will go in same straight line
without change in direction.
57. IMAGE FORMED BY CONVEX LENS
Position of
object

1.
At
infinity

Ray Diagram

Nature of the
image
Image is at F
Real
Diminished
Inverted

Rays are parallel to principle axis

2F

Principle axis

Image

Rays are not parallel to principle axis

2F

Principle axis

Image

2. Beyond
C or 2F

2F

2F

Principle axis

Image
is
betweenF & 2F
Real
Diminished
Inverted

Image

Image is at 2F
Real Same size

3. At 2F
2F

2F

Principle axis

Image

4.Between
2F & F
F

2F

Principle axis

2F

Image
beyond 2F
Real
Enlarged
Inverted

is

Image
Object is not point source

5. At F
2F

2F

Principle axis

Image is at
infinity.
Nature
is
unpredictable

Object is point source

7
2F

2F

Principle axis

Object is point source

2F

2F

Principle axis

6.Between
F&O
2F

Image

2F

Principle axis

Image is on
same side of
object
Virtual
Enlarged
Erect

58. In a CONCAVE lens parallel rays are diverged so that they appear to come from the
principal focus (F) of the concave lens
59. A FAT LENS IS A STRONG LENS , WITH A SHORT FOCAL LENGTH.
60. A THIN LENS IS A WEAK LENS, WITH A LONG FOCAL LENGTH.
Height / size of Im age (hi )
Dis tan ce of imageV

61. MAGNIFICATION: m =
Height / size of Object (ho )
Dis tan ce of object U
hi
V

m =
ho
U
1

62. Power of Lens : P = Focal length in metre f

63. Unit of power is Diopter(D), 1 D = 1m-1

64. Uses of Lens

Convex lenses are generally used to enlarge small or microscopic objects
1. Lens is used in all Projectors, Cameras, Microscope, and Telescope.
2. Convex lens is used in magnifying glass
3. Our eye is a natural lens
4. Concave lens are used for correcting Short sight or Myopia and convex lens are used
for correcting long sight or Hypermetropia.
5. Cylindrical lens is used for astigmatism.
65. Magnifying Glass: Magnifying glass is a also called Simple microscope. It is used to
magnify small objects. Ex , technician repairs wrists watch.
It consists of only one convex lens fixed in a frame with a handle. The object to be
magnified is placed between O and F of the lens. The image is seen on same side of the
object. The nature of the image is virtual, erect and magnified.

2F

Principle axis

2F

Image

66. Pin hole camera. It a simple device to demonstrate the nature of image formed by a lens.
This consists of a cartoon box contains small hole in it. A candle lighted candle placed in
front of the hole produces small, inverted and real image on other side the box, which can
be seen from the top of the box. The hole acts as lens in the camera. If the object is closer
and closer, the image is bigger and bigger. Similarly, if it far away the size is smaller. The
magnification is given by
Height / size of Im age (hi )
Dis tan ce of imageV

m=
Height / size of Object (ho )
Dis tan ce of object U

Image distance

Object distance

67. Camera. A camera consists of a light-tight box with a convex lens at one end and the film
at the other end. The parallel light rays from an object pass through the lens and converge
at the film. The nature of the image formed is real, inverted and diminished.

Film

2F

2F

Principle axis

Image

Camera

68. DISPERSION OF LIGHT. : When sunlight (or white light) falls on a triangular glass
prism a band of colors called a spectrum is obtained. The effect is termed dispersion and
arises because white light is a mixture of many colors which the prism separates because
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the refractive index of glass is different for each color. The refractive index is greatest for
violet light and least for red light.
69. The colors in order are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.(ROY . G. VIB).
Red at the top and violet at the bottom. The color that is deviated (bent) least by the prism
is red, violet is deviated through a larges angle as shown in the diagram. Dispersion of
white light into its seven colours represent that the white is composition of seven colours.
70. Newtons Colour wheel: White colour consists of seven colours, then we should be able
to get all seven colours by rotating the wheel quickly so that the colour appears to
71. HOW DOES A PRISM DISPERSE WHITE LIGHT INTO A SPECTRUM? Different
colors of light have different wave lengths All colors of light travel at the same speed in a
vacuum .When they enter a transparent substance like glass , they all slow down but by
different amounts .Because they slow down, they are refracted but because they slow
down by different amounts different colors are refracted through different angles. Violet is
slowed down the most and so is refracted through the largest angle. Red slows down less
and so is deviated through a smaller angle.

White light

Angle of deviation

V
EXERCISES
1. The angle between an incident ray and the mirror is 300. W
a. What is the angle of incidence?
b. What is the angle of reflection?
c. What is the total angle turned by the ray?
2. A boy with a mouth 5cm wide stands 2m from a plane mirror. Where is his image and
how wide is the image of his mouth? He walks towards the mirror at 1m/s. At what
speed does his image approach him?
3. Find the known angles

Name the following

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4. Complete the ray diagram

Single
White light
Colour light
5. From the picture answer the following question
a. At what distance he can see his image ? ________________________
b.Can he see his foot ________________________
c. If he is 150 cm tall, what minimum height of mirror is required to see he
image he wants to see his foot what distance he has to move from the mirror?
20cm
Mirror

11

6. Copy and complete the diagram

42

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EXERCISES
1.

Which diagram correctly shows a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass block?

2.

Which diagram correctly shows rays passing through a camera lens?

3.

A ray of light passes from glass into air at an angle of incidence of 40 o. The glass has a
critical angle of 420. Which diagram shows what happens to the ray?

13

4.

Rays of light enter and leave a box.

What could be inside the box to make the rays behave as shown?
A a converging lens
B a parallel-sided glass block
C a plane mirror
D a triangular prism

5.

A thin converging lens is used to produce, on a screen, a focused image of a candle.

The screen and the lens are moved back and forth and various focused images are
produced on the screen. Which statement is always true?
A The image is at the principal focus (focal point) of the lens.
B The image is bigger than the object.
C The image is closer to the lens than the object is.
D The image is inverted.

14

6.

The image of a clock face as seen in a plane mirror is shown.

What is the actual time on the clock?
A 1.25
B 1.35
C 10.25
D 10.35

7.

Three rays of light fall on a converging lens as shown lens

Which diagram shows the path of the rays after passing through the lens?

15

8.

The diagram shows the image of a clock in a plane mirror. What time is shown?

A 02:25
B 02:35
C 09:25
D 09:35
9. A ray of light passes through a window. Which path does it take?

10. A

student looks at the letter P on a piece of paper, and at its reflection in a mirror.
What does he see?

11. The critical

angle for a glass / air boundary is C.

Which diagram shows the correct path of the light ray?

16

12. The diagram shows

the image of a clock face in a plane mirror.

Which of these times is shown?
A 02.25
B 02.35
C 09.25
D 09.35

13. The ray

diagram shows how an image is formed by a converging lens.

What is the focal length of this lens?

A 8 cm
B 10 cm
C 18 cm
14. The ray

D 24 cm

diagram in Fig. 11.1 shows a lens forming an image II of an object OO.

(a) State
(i) which of the marked points is a principal focus of the lens, .......................................
17

(ii) which distance is the focal length of the lens.............................................................

(b) Which of the following words describe the image?
Tick all that are correct.
real
virtual
inverted
upright
enlarged
diminished
(c) On Fig. 11.1, draw one other ray that goes from O, the top of the object, to the image.
15. (a)

A man looks at his reflection in a vertical mirror. This is shown from the side in Fig. 1
(i) On Fig.1, accurately mark with a clear dot labelled B where the image of the tip A of
the mans beard will be.
(ii) On Fig.1, accurately draw a ray from the tip of the mans beard that reflects from the
mirror and goes into his eye. You may use faint construction lines if you wish. Use
arrows to show the direction of the ray.
(iii) The man can see the image, but it cannot be formed on a screen. What name is given
to this type of image?
..................................................................................................................................

Fig 1

Fig 2 Reflection seen in the mirror

(iv) Write down the equation that links the angles of incidence and reflection that the
ray makes with the mirror.
(b) A girl looks into a bathroom mirror to brush her hair. Fig.2 shows what she sees in the
mirror.
(i) In which hand is she holding the brush? Tick one box.
left hand

right hand

18

(ii) She has a spot on her skin just below her left eye.
Mark clearly on Fig. 12.2 where this will appear on the reflection.
16. (a)

The filament of a lamp is placed at the principal focus of a lens, as shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 1
On Fig.1, continue the three rays through the lens and out into the air on the right of the
lens.
(b) The lens in Fig. 7.2 has a focal length of 2.0 cm.
On Fig. 7.2,
(i) mark and label the positions of the principal focus on the left of the lens and the
principal focus on the right of the lens,
(ii) carefully draw a ray from the top of the object, parallel to the axis, through the lens
and continue it until it reaches the edge of the squared area.

Fig. 2
(iii) carefully draw a ray from the top of the object, which travels parallel to the axis
after it has passed through the lens.
(iv) draw and label the image.
17. Fig.

6.1 shows an optical fibre. XY is a ray of light passing along the fibre.
19

(a) On Fig. 6.1, continue the ray XY until it passes Z. [1]

(b) Explain why the ray does not leave the fibre at Y.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(c) The light in the optical fibre has a wavelength of 3.2 x 10 7 m and is travelling at a
speed of 1.9 x 108m/s.
(i) Calculate the frequency of the light.
frequency = ...
(ii) The speed of light in air is 3.0 x 108m/s.
Calculate the refractive index of the material from which the fibre is made.
refractive index = ...
18. A

single ray of white light from the lightning is incident on a prism as shown in Fig.
Complete the path of the ray to show how a spectrum is formed on the screen. Label the
colours.

19. (a)

Fig. 7.1 shows a ray of blue light shining onto a glass prism. With the aid of a straight
edge, draw a possible path of the ray through the prism and into the air until it reaches the
screen.

20

(b) When a ray of white light passes through the prism, it spreads into a spectrum of
colours that can be seen on the screen.
(i) What is the name of this spreading effect? Tick one box.
Convergence

Diffraction

Dispersion

reflection

(ii) Which colour is deviated least by the prism? .....................................................

(iii) Which colour is deviated most by the prism? ...................................................
screen
20. Fig. 6.1 shows white light incident at P on a glass prism. Only the refracted red ray PQ is
shown in the prism.
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw rays to complete the path of the red ray and the whole path of the
violet ray up to the point where they hit the screen. Label the violet ray.
(b) The angle of incidence of the white light is increased to 40. The refractive index of
the glass for the red light is 1.52.
Calculate the angle of refraction at P for the red light.
angle of refraction = ........................

(c) State the approximate speed of

(i) the white light incident at P,
speed = ........................
21

(ii) the red light after it leaves the prism at Q.

speed = ........................
21. In

this question, drawing should be done carefully. Fig. shows a ray of light striking
mirror 1 at point X.

(a) On Fig,
(i) draw the normal at X,
(ii) draw the ray reflected from mirror 1,
(iii) mark the angle of incidence using the letter i and the angle of reflection using the
letter r.
(b) Mirror 2 is parallel to mirror 1. The reflected ray from mirror 1 strikes mirror 2.
Compare the direction of the ray reflected from mirror 2 with the incident ray at X. You
may do a further construction if you wish. Complete the sentence below.
The reflected ray from mirror 2 is .....................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

22. (a)

Fig. 7.1 shows two rays of light from a point O on an object. These rays are incident
on a plane mirror.

Fig. 1

(i) On Fig.1, continue the paths of the two rays after they reach the mirror. Hence
locate the image of the object O. Label the image I.
(ii) Describe the nature of the image I.
............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
(b) Fig.2 is drawn to scale. It shows an object PQ and a convex lens.
22

Fig 2
(i) On Fig.2, draw two rays from the top of the object P that pass through the lens.
Use these rays to locate the top of the image. Label this point T.
(ii) On Fig.2, draw an eye symbol to show the position from which the image T
should be viewed.
23. Fig.

shows a ray of light OPQ passing through a semi-circular glass block.

(a) Explain why there is no change in the direction of the ray at P.
.........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
(b) State the changes, if any, that occur to the speed, wavelength and frequency of the
light as it enters the glass block.
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................

23

(c) At Q some of the light in ray OPQ is reflected and some is refracted.
On Fig, draw in the approximate positions of the reflected ray and the refracted ray.
Label these rays.
(d) The refractive index for light passing from glass to air is 0.67.
Calculate the angle of refraction of the ray that is refracted at Q into air.
angle = .
24. An

inventor is trying to make a device to enable him to see objects behind him. He cuts a
square box in half diagonally and sticks two plane mirrors on the inside of the box.
A side view of the arrangement is shown in Fig. 1

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig. 2 shows the arrangement, drawn larger.

Fig. 2 shows parallel rays from two different points on a distant object behind the man.
(a) Carefully continue the two rays until they reach the place where the inventors head
will be.
(b) Look at what has happened to the two rays. What can be said about the image the
inventor sees?
................................................................................................................................................
25. (a)

A beam of light is travelling parallel to the axis of a thin lens, as shown in Fig.1 After
passing through the lens, the rays all pass through the point F.

24

Fig 1
(i) Which word best describes what happens to the rays? Tick one box.
The rays converge

Diffract

Disperse

Reflect

(ii) On Fig. 12.1, complete the paths of the two rays.

(iii) Complete the following sentence, referring to Fig. 1.
The focal length of the lens is the distance between point .............. and point ..............
(b) In this part of the question, you are required to draw an accurate ray diagram on Fig 2 for
the lens in part (a).
(i) From the top of the object, draw a ray that, after leaving the lens, passes through F.
(ii) From the top of the object, draw a ray that passes through P.
(iii) Mark in the image, and write image alongside it.
(iv) From your diagram, state two things that are the same (or approximately the same)
about the image and the object.
1. .................................................................................................................................................
2. .................................................................................................................................................
(v) From your diagram, state one thing that is definitely different about the image and the
object.
.....................................................................................................................................................

25

Fig 2
26. (a)

Fig.1 shows the results of an experiment to find the critical angle for light in a
semicircular glass block. Fig.1

Fig 1
The ray of light PO hits the glass at O at an angle of incidence of 0. Q is the centre of the
straight side of the block.
(i) Measure the critical angle of the glass from Fig.1.
Critical angle = .........................
(ii) Explain what is meant by the critical angle of the light in the glass.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(b) Fig. 6.2 shows another ray passing through the same block.
The speed of the light between W and Q is 3.0 108m/s. The speed of the light
between Q and Y is 2.0 108m/s.
(i) State the speed of the light between Y and Z.
speed = ............................
26

(ii) Write down an expression, in terms of the speeds of the light, that may be used to
find the refractive index of the glass. Determine the value of the refractive index.
refractive index = ......................

Fig 2
(iii) Explain why there is no change of direction of ray QY as it passes out of the glass.
................................................................................................................................................
(iv) What happens to the wavelength of the light as it passes out of the glass?
..............................................................................................................................................
27. The

IGCSE class carries out an experiment using a convex lens, an illuminated object and
a screen. Fig. 4.1 shows the apparatus. A sharp image is obtained on the screen. Fig. 1

Fig 1
(a) (i) Use your rule to measure, on Fig. 4.1, the distance x from the illuminated object to the
centre of the lens.
x = ............................
(ii) Use your rule to measure, on Fig. 4.1, the distance y from the centre of the lens to the
screen.
y = ............................
(iii) Fig. 4.1 shows the apparatus drawn to 1/5th of actual size. Calculate the
actual distance u between the object and the lens, and the actual distance v
between the lens and the screen.
u = ............... v = ............
27

(iv) Calculate the magnification m using the equation m =

V
.
U

m = ..........................
(b) The illuminated object is triangular in shape, as shown in Fig.2

Draw a diagram of the image as it would appear on the screen.

(c) State two precautions that the IGCSE class should take to obtain experimental readings
that are as accurate as possible.
1. ...................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
2. ...................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................
28. (a)

A narrow beam of red light strikes one face of a triangular prism at A, as shown in
Fig.1.

Fig 1
(i) On Fig.1, show the path of the beam until it reaches the screen.
(ii) What name do we use to describe what happens to the beam at A?
................................................................................................................................................

Fig 2
28

(b) The red light is replaced by a narrow beam of mixed red and violet light, as shown
in Fig.2. Complete Fig. 2 to show what happens to the red and the violet light.
(c) The beam of red and violet light is replaced by a narrow beam of white light from the
Sun. State what is now seen on the screen.
...............................................................................................................................................
(d) The rays from the Sun also include infra-red rays. Infra-red radiation can pass through
glass.
(i) On Fig. 2, mark with the letter X the place where infra-red radiation from the
Sun might strike the screen after passing through the prism.
(ii) Why can infra-red not be seen on the screen?
................................................................................................................................................
(iii) What could be used to detect the infra-red radiation?
................................................................................................................................................
29. Fig.

shows white light incident at P on a glass prism. Only the refracted red ray PQ is
shown in the prism.

(a) On Fig. draw rays to complete the path of the red ray and the whole path of the violet
ray up to the point where they hit the screen. Label the violet ray.
(b) The angle of incidence of the white light is increased to 40. The refractive index of the
glass for the red light is 1.52.
Calculate the angle of refraction at P for the red light.
angle of refraction = ........................
(c) State the approximate speed of
(i) the white light incident at P, speed = ........................
(ii) the red light after it leaves the prism at Q. speed = ........................
30. A

student investigates the refraction of light through a transparent block. He place the
transparent block on a sheet of plain paper, largest face down, and draws a line round the
block. He draws a line to represent an incident ray and places two pins W and X in the
line. Fig. 5.1 shows the outline of the block and the incident ray.
(a) On Fig. 5.1, draw a normal to line AB at the point where the incident ray meets the
block. The incident ray is drawn on the diagram. The positions of the two pins W and X
that mark the incident ray are shown.
(b) Measure the angle of incidence i
i = ..
29

(c) Draw in the refracted ray with an angle of refraction of 20. Continue this line until it
meets the line CD.
(d) The ray emerges from the block in a direction that is parallel to the incident ray. Draw
in this emergent ray.
(e) Two pins Y and Z are placed so that the pins W and X, viewed through the block, and
the pins Y and Z all appear exactly in line with each other. Mark on the diagram, with the
letters Y and Z, where you would place these two pins.
31. In

this experiment you will investigate the refraction of light through a transparent block.
Carry out the following instructions, referring to Figs.1, 2 and 3.

Fig 1
30

(a) Place the transparent block with its largest face down on one of the ray trace sheets as
shown in Fig. 4.1. One of the longest sides is to be along line PQ.
(b) Draw round the block and label the corners A, B, C and D. Remove the block.
(c) Place the ray trace sheet on the pin board and push a pin X into the paper on line EF
close to line AB. Push another pin W into line EF some distance away from line AB.
(d) Replace the block on the ray trace sheet.
(e) View the images of pins W and X through the block. Place two pins Y and Z between
your eye and the block so that Y, Z and the images of W and X appear exactly one behind
the other.
(f) Label the positions of pins W, X, Y and Z on the ray trace sheet. Remove the pins and
the block. Using a rule, draw a line joining Z and Y and continue the line to meet the line
CD at a point, which you should label G.
(g) Draw a line to join the points F and G.
(h) Measure and record the angle of refraction r between line FG and the normal NN'.

Fig 2
Place the block on the second ray trace sheet so that one of its longest sides is along line
PQ but with the largest face vertical (as shown in Fig.2). Label the corners A, B, C and D.
(j) Repeat steps (b) (h).
(k) Place the block on the third ray trace sheet with the largest face down so that one of its
shorter sides is along the line PQ. One corner should be about 1 cm to the left of point F,
as shown in Fig.3. Label the corners A, B, C and D.

Fig 3
31

(l) Repeat steps (b) (h).

(m) Within the limits of experimental error, what do you conclude about the effect on the
angle of refraction r of increasing the length of the ray within the block?
32. In

this experiment you are to investigate the refraction of light through a transparent
block.
Record all your observations and carry out the following instructions referring to Fig 1.

32

(a) Place the transparent block, largest face down, on the sheet of plain paper supplied. The
block should be approximately in the middle of the paper. Draw the outline ABCD of the
block .
(b) Remove the block and draw the normal NN to side AB so that the normal is 2.0 cm from
A. Label the point G where NN crosses DC.
(c) Draw the line EF at an angle of 30 to the normal, as shown in Fig.
(d) Place the paper on the pin board.
(e) Place two pins P1 and P2 on line EF as shown in Fig.
(f) Replace the block and observe the images of P1and P2 through side CD of the block so
that the images of P1 and P2 appear one behind the other. Place two pins P3 and P4 between
your eye and the block so that P 3 and P4 and the images of P1 and P2, seen through the block,
appear one behind the other. Mark the positions of P1, P2, P3 and P4. Remove the block. 2
(g) Draw a line joining the positions of P3 and P4. Continue the line until it meets CD. Label
this point H.
(h) Measure and record the length a of the line GH.
(i) Draw the line HF.
(j) Measure and record the length b of the line HF.
(k) Extend the straight line EF within the outline of the block to a point I. The distance FI
must be exactly equal to b.
(l) From I draw a line that meets NN at a right angle. Label this position J.
(m) Measure and record the length c of the line IJ.
(n) Calculate the refractive index n of the material of the block using the equation
n=

c
.
a

33. In

this experiment, you will investigate the refraction of light through a transparent block.
Carry out the following instructions referring to Fig. 4.1.
(a) Position the sheet of paper so that the hole is at the top right-hand corner. Place the
transparent block on the paper with its largest face down and approximately in the centre
of the paper. Draw round the block and label the corners A, B, C and D (see Fig. 1).
Remove the block.
(b) Draw a normal to line AB, approximately at the centre, and label the normal NN.
(c) Draw a line EF above the line AB and at 30 from the normal.

33

Fig. 1
(e) Replace the block on the paper.
(f) View the images of pins W and X through the block. Place two pins Y and Z between
your eye and the block so that Y, Z and the images of W and X appear exactly one behind
the other.
(g) Mark the positions of pins W, X, Y and Z on the paper. Remove the pins and the block.
Using a rule, draw a line joining Y and Z and continue the line to meet the line CD at a
point, which you should label G.
(h) Draw a line to join the points F and G.
(i) Measure the angle r between line FG and the normal.
(j) Extend the line EF through line CD and to almost the edge of the paper. Label the
point at which the line cuts CD with the letter H.
(k) Measure the distance x between points G and H.
(l) Draw a line parallel to and 5.0 cm below line CD. This line cuts lines YZ and FH.
Label the points at which it cuts these lines with the letters J and K. Measure the distance
y between J and K.
34

34. In

this experiment, you are to determine a quantity called the refractive index of the
material of a transparent block.
Carry out the following instructions referring to Fig.

(a) Draw a line on the sheet of plain paper parallel to and 30 mm from one of the longer
edges. Label this line AB.
(b) Place the transparent block, largest face down, on the paper with one of the shorter
sides, EH, along the line AB and such that the distances EA and HB are approximately
equal. Draw the outline of the block EFGH.
(c) Remove the block and draw the normal NN_ to side EF so that the normal cuts EF at a
point T, 40 mm from E. Continue the normal so that it cuts the line HG at a point W.
Label this point.
(d) Mark a point V on AB such that VE is 20 mm. Draw in the line VT.
(e) Place the paper on the pin board.
35

(f) Place two pins P1 and P2 on line VT, as shown in Fig.

(g) Replace the block and observe the images of P1 and P2 through side GH of the block
so that the images of P1 and P2 appear one behind the other. Place two pins P3 and P4
between your eye and the block so that P3 and P4 and the images of P1 and P2, seen
through the block appear one behind the other. Mark the positions of P1, P2, P3 and P4.
Remove the block.
(h) Draw a line joining the positions of P3 and P4. Continue the line until it meets GH.
Label this point X.
(i) Draw the line XT.
(j) Measure and record the lengths ET = a, VT = b, WX = c and XT = d.
(k) Calculate n, the refractive index of the material of the block, using the equation below.
n=

a d
bc

(l) State and explain the reason for one precaution that you took to gain an accurate result.
35. Fig.

shows the outline of a transparent perspex block used in an experiment to determine

the value of a quantity called the refractive index of perspex. The block is placed on a
sheet of plain paper that is mounted on a cork mat. Two pins P1 and P2 are viewed
through the block and two additional pins P3 and P4 are stuck into the mat so that P3, P4
and the images of P1 and P2 appear to be exactly in line, one behind the other.
(a) (i) On Fig. 5.1, draw a line through the positions of P3 and P4 and extend the line until
it meets CD. Mark this point as F.
Show the path of the ray of light through the block by joining point E to point F.
(ii) Measure the angle i.
i = .........................
(b) Give two precautions that you would take to obtain an accurate path for the ray of
light.
You should consider the positioning of the pins P3 and P4 and how they are viewed. You
may assume that simple laboratory apparatus is available, if required.
first precaution ..................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
second precaution ............................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
(c) (i) Measure the distance NF.
NF = ..............................

36

(ii) Measure the distance EF.

EF = ...............................
37

(iii) Calculate the refractive index n of perspex using the equation

EF
n = 0.5
.
N F
n =
36. In

this experiment you are to investigate reflection in a plane mirror.

Carry out the following instructions, referring to Fig.

(a) The line MM' shows the position of the mirror. Draw a normal to this line at its centre.
(b) Place the mirror, with its reflecting face vertical, on the line MM'.
(c) Place the card so that it stands vertically with end B on the normal line and at a
distance x = 5.0 cm from the mirror. The card must be parallel to the mirror.
(d) Draw a line from the edge A of the card to the point where the normal meets the line
MM'.
Place a pin P1 in this line, close to MM'. Label the position of P1
(e) View the image of the edge A of the card in the mirror and position two pins P2 and P3
some distance apart so that pins P3, P2, P1 and the edge A of the card all appear exactly one
behind the other. Label the positions of P2 and P3.
(f) Remove the pins and the mirror and draw in the line joining the positions of P2 and P3.
Continue the line until it meets the normal.
(g) Measure and record the angle of reflection r between the normal and line P2P3.
(h) Repeat the steps (c) (g) using values of x of 10.0 cm and 15.0 cm.
(i) In spite of carrying out this experiment with care, it is possible that the values of the
angle of reflection r will not be exactly the same as the values obtained from the theory.
Suggest two possible causes of this inaccuracy.
38

37. A student is

investigating the passage of light through a transparent block, as shown in Fig.

The student looks through the block. He places pins so that two pins marking the incident
ray and two pins marking the emergent ray all appear to be exactly one behind the other.

(a) On Fig., mark suitable positions for the four pins, two on the incident ray and two on
the emergent ray.
(b) (i) On Fig. 4.1, draw the normal at point A.
(ii) On Fig. 4.1, draw in the line AB. Measure and record the angle of refraction r between
the line AB and the normal.
r = .....................................
(iii) Measure and record the angle of incidence i between the incident ray and the
39

normal.
i = .....................................
38. In

this experiment, you are to determine the focal length of a lens.

Carry out the following instructions referring to Fig.

(a) Place the lens so that its centre is 20.0 cm from the illuminated object.
(b) Measure and record the distance u in cm from the centre of the lens to the illuminated
object, as shown in Fig.
(c) Place the screen close to the lens. Move the screen away from the lens until a focused
image of the object is seen on the screen.
(d) Measure and record the distance v in cm from the centre of the lens to the screen.
(e) Repeat steps (b) (d) to find v for each of the values of u below.
22.5 cm 25.0 cm 35.0 cm 45.0 cm
(f) Plot the graph of v /cm (y-axis) against u /cm (x-axis). Draw the best fit curve.
(g) Mark on the graph the points v = u = 10.0 cm and v = u = 40.0 cm. Draw the straight line
between the points. Record u0, the value of u at the point where the curve cuts the straight
line. Show clearly on the graph how you obtained this value.
(h) It can be shown that the focal length of the lens is equal to u0/2. Use the equation f = u0/2
to calculate the focal length.
39. An

IGCSE student was investigating the passage of red light through a prism.
Fig.2.1shows the outline of the prism and an incident ray.

(a) Measure the angle of incidence i shown in Fig. 2.1.

40

i = .
(b) The angle of refraction as the ray entered side AB of the prism was 22.
(i) On Fig. 2.1, draw in the refracted ray from point D as accurately as possible.
(ii) Mark the point E, where the ray meets side AC. Draw the normal at point E.
(c) At point E the ray came out of the prism with an angle of refraction of 75. On Fig.2.1,
draw as accurately as possible the ray coming out of the prism.
(d) Another student used four optics pins to trace the passage of a ray through a prism.
Fig. 2.2 shows the prism, the position of the students eye and the directions of the ray.

On Fig. 2.2, show positions of the four optics pins, placed to obtain as accurate a result
as possible. Mark each position clearly with a cross (X).
40. A

student carried out a lens experiment to investigate the magnification of an image. The
apparatus is shown in Fig.1.

Fig 1
The object is a triangular hole in a screen. Fig. 2 shows this, actual size.

Fig 2
The student set the distance u at 35.0 cm and moved the screen to obtain a sharply focused
image. The image distance v was 72.3 cm.
(a) (i) Calculate m, the magnification, using the equation
41

m=

u
v

m = .............................
(ii) Draw a diagram of the image, actual size, for a magnification m = 2.0.

(b) The image distance v is the distance from the screen to the centre of the lens.
Explain briefly how you would position a metre rule to obtain an accurate value for v.
You may draw a diagram.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
41. An

IGCSE student is investigating the reflection of light by a plane mirror.

42

On Fig, the line MM' shows the position of the mirror that is standing on a sheet of paper.
The reflecting surface of the mirror is vertical. AB is a card that is standing vertically and
is parallel to the reflecting surface of the mirror.
(a) Draw a normal to the mirror such that the edge B of the card lies on the normal.
(b) Measure the distance x along the normal between the line MM' and the edge B of the
card.
x = .........................
(c) Draw a line from the edge A of the card to the point where the normal meets the line
MM'. This represents an incident ray from the edge of the card.
(d) Measure the angle i between the incident ray and the normal.
i = ..........................
x
(e) Calculate the ratio y where y = 5.0 cm, the length of the card.
x
y

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

(f) The angle of reflection is to be determined as accurately as possible. On Fig, mark with
the letters X, Y and Z the points where the student would place three pins in order to plot
the reflected ray.
42. In

this experiment, you are to determine two values of magnification produced by a

converging lens.
You have been given an illuminated object, a converging lens mounted in a holder, a
screen, and a metre rule.
The illuminated object and the screen have been fixed to the bench; do not try to change
their positions at any time.
Carry out the following instructions referring to Fig.1.

Fig. 1
(a) Place the lens between the illuminated object and the screen and about 5 cm away
from the illuminated object.
(b) Move the lens slowly towards the screen, making sure that the lens is always in line
with the illuminated object and the screen.
(c) When you see a magnified image of the illuminated object on the screen, move the
lens very slowly backwards and forwards until the image is sharply focused.
(d) Using the metre rule, measure and record u, the distance from the illuminated object to
the centre of the lens.
43

(e) Measure and record v, the distance from the centre of the lens to the screen.
(f) Without disturbing the apparatus, measure and record H, the height of the image as
shown on Fig. 4.2.

Fig. 2
(g) Once again, slowly move the lens towards the screen until you see a smaller image of
the illuminated object on the screen. Adjust the position of the lens until the image is
sharply focused.
(h) Using the metre rule, measure and record x, the distance from the illuminated object to
the centre of the lens as shown on Fig. 4.3.

Fig. 3
Fig 4
(i) Measure and record y, the distance from the centre of the lens to the screen.
(j) Without disturbing the apparatus, measure and record h, the height of the image as
shown on Fig. 4.
(k) Calculate the ratios
1
2
3.

u
v
y
x
H
h

(l) State and briefly explain one precaution you took in order to obtain reliable
measurements.

44

ASSAFWAH PRIVATE SCHOOLS,

AL KHOUD, OMAN

IGCSE
NOTES, STUDY MATERIAL & EXERCISES
PHYSICS- LIGHT

45