Rays of light pass through the transparent cover of the headlight. Which diagram shows how a ray of light passes through the transparent cover?

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Apply the rules of refraction for light passing through a rectangular block: 1. When light enters a denser medium (like glass or plastic) from a less dense medium (air), it slows down and bends *towards* the normal. 2. When light leaves the denser medium and re-enters the less dense medium, it speeds up and bends *away* from the normal. 3. For a parallel-sided block, the emergent ray will be parallel to the incident ray, but displaced. Identify the diagram that follows these rules.

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B.<svg width='200' height='100' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'><rect x='80' y='10' width='40' height='80' fill='lightgray' stroke='black'/><path d='M 20 80 L 95 55 L 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' fill='none'/><path d='M 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' marker-end='url(#arrowhead)'/></svg>✓ Correct

When a ray of light passes from air into a transparent block (a denser medium), it refracts towards the normal. When it passes back out from the block into the air (a less dense medium), it refracts away from the normal. - **Diagram 1:** Shows the ray bending away from the normal on entry. This is incorrect. - **Diagram 2:** Shows the ray bending towards the normal on entry and away from the normal on exit. The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray. This is correct. - **Diagram 3:** Shows the ray bending towards the normal on entry, but then bending incorrectly on exit. This is incorrect.

Common mistakes

✗ Forgetting the direction of bending (towards or away from the normal).\n✗ Confusing refraction with reflection.

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Rays of light pass through the transparent cover of the headlight. Which diagram shows how a ray of light passes through the transparent cover?

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Practice the full AQA GCSE Physics Foundation Tier Paper 2

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