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AQA GCSE · Question 01.2 · Waves
Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the data in Table 1. You may include a labelled diagram.
Table 1:
Angle of incidence (degrees): 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
Angle of refraction (degrees): 6, 12, 18, 23, 28, 32
Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the data in Table 1. You may include a labelled diagram.
Table 1:
Angle of incidence (degrees): 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
Angle of refraction (degrees): 6, 12, 18, 23, 28, 32
How to approach this question
This question requires a step-by-step description of a practical investigation. Structure your answer logically, starting from setting up the equipment to taking measurements and repeating the process. Mention all necessary equipment (glass block, paper, ray box, protractor).
Full Answer
To investigate refraction, a ray of light is shone through a transparent medium like a glass block.
1. **Setup:** A glass block is placed on paper and its outline is traced. A "normal" line is drawn perpendicular (at 90°) to the surface where the light will enter.
2. **Incident Ray:** A ray box is used to shine a narrow beam of light towards the block, hitting the point where the normal is drawn. The angle between this incoming ray and the normal is the angle of incidence (i). This angle is set using a protractor.
3. **Refracted Ray:** As the light enters the denser glass block, it slows down and bends towards the normal. The path of this ray is marked. The angle between the refracted ray and the normal is the angle of refraction (r).
4. **Measurement:** The angle of refraction is measured using the protractor.
5. **Repetition:** The process is repeated for various angles of incidence to see how the angle of refraction changes, allowing for a full set of results like those in Table 1 to be collected.
Common mistakes
✗ Forgetting to mention the normal line and measuring angles from the surface of the block instead.\n✗ Not specifying the equipment used, such as a ray box and protractor.\n✗ Describing a method for reflection instead of refraction.\n✗ Not explaining that the procedure should be repeated for different angles of incidence.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Physics Higher Tier Paper 2
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