Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
Refraction
15 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 15
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →What is the name given to the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one material into another?
Question 2
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following best describes what happens when a water wave travels from deep water to shallow water at an angle to the boundary?
- A.The wave slows down and bends.
- B.The wave speeds up and bends.
- C.The wave changes direction but not speed.
- D.The wave stays the same speed and direction.
Question 3
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]State the Law of Reflection.
(b)[1 mark]What is the angle of reflection when the angle of incidence is ?
(c)[1 mark]Draw a labelled diagram to show a wave reflecting from a flat barrier. Include the normal, angle of incidence, and angle of reflection.
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain, using wave ideas, why a straight pencil appears bent when it is placed at an angle in a glass of water.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →What happens to the speed of light as it passes from air into glass?
- A.It increases
- B.It decreases
- C.It stays the same
- D.It becomes zero
Question 6
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name the line that is always drawn at right angles to the barrier when showing reflection or refraction of waves.
Question 7
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe what happens to a sound wave as it passes from warm air into cold air, and explain your answer in terms of wave properties.
Question 8
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Give one example of a wave that can be reflected, and one example of a wave that can be refracted.
(b)[1 mark]State what is always true about all types of waves when they are reflected or refracted.
Question 9
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a wavefront striking a flat barrier at an angle.
Wavefronts and barrier with normal (a)[1 mark]Mark and label the angle of incidence on the diagram.
(b)[1 mark]State the law of reflection.
(c)[1 mark]If the angle of incidence is , what is the angle of reflection?
(d)[1 mark]Explain why the reflected wave leaves the barrier at this angle.
Question 10
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Water waves pass from deep to shallow water. Describe what happens to the direction and speed of the waves. Explain briefly.