Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Waves
356 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
51–60 of 356
Question 51
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A ray of light passes from air into water. Explain why the ray changes direction at the boundary between the two media.
Question 52
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The diagram shows a light ray entering a glass block from air at an angle to the normal.
(a)[2 marks]On the diagram below, draw and label:
the normal at the point where the ray enters the glass
the angle of incidence
(b)[1 mark]What happens to the speed of light as it passes from air into glass?
Question 53
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which statement best describes why refraction occurs when a wave moves from air into glass?
- A.The wave is absorbed by the glass.
- B.The wave travels at a different speed in the glass.
- C.The wave is reflected at the surface of the glass.
- D.The wave loses all its energy in the glass.
Question 54
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name one instrument that uses lenses to refract light and form an image.
Question 55
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →When water waves pass into a region where the water is deeper, describe what happens to the speed and direction of the waves.
Question 56
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student observes a pencil in a glass of water. The pencil appears bent at the surface of the water.
(a)[2 marks]Explain, using the idea of refraction, why the pencil appears bent.
(b)[1 mark]What happens to the light as it leaves the water and enters the air?
Question 57
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The figure below shows a set-up for water waves moving from shallow to deep water.
(a)[2 marks]In the space below, draw a diagram to show how the path of a wave changes as it moves from the shallow region into the deeper region at an angle to the boundary.
(b)[1 mark]Label the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction on your diagram.
Question 58
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by refraction and explain why refraction occurs when a light ray passes from air into water.
Question 59
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A ray of light passes from air into a block of glass. The diagram below shows the path of the ray.
Ray of light entering glass (a)[2 marks]On the diagram, clearly label the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction.
(b)[1 mark]State which of the two angles (angle of incidence or angle of refraction) is larger and explain why.
Question 60
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram shows the direction of a wave as it passes from shallow water into deep water at an angle. The wave changes speed and is refracted.
Wave passing from shallow to deep water (a)[2 marks]Describe what happens to the speed and direction of the wave as it passes from shallow to deep water.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why the direction of the wavefront changes.