5 Optics

AQA Physics Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

1a It showed that light behaves like a wave (rather than a 1
particle) / wave nature (of light). 
1bi Single wavelength (or frequency)  1
1 b ii (Waves / source(s) have) constant phase difference.  1
1 b iii Any sensible precaution, for example, do not look into
laser / do not point the laser at others / do not let
1
(regular) reflections enter the eye / safety signs / suitable
safety goggles 
1c 0.16
 0.02(0) 
8 3
0.020  0.30(10 –3 )
  ecf from calculation of fringe
10.0
spacing
 6.0  10–7 m  ( 600 nm) ecf from calculation of fringe
spacing
1d Maxima closer together 
(Quotes equation and states that) spacing is proportional 2
to wavelength / D and s are constant therefore as λ
decreases so ω decreases 
OR
links smaller wavelength to smaller path difference 
Total 9
From AQA Physics A PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves mark scheme January 2010 (Question 5)
2a n1 > n2  2 Allow correct reference to
optical density.
(Incident) angle > critical angle (allow θc not c)
Allow nA > nB
OR
Do not allow: Angle passes the
critical angle must be exceeded 
critical angle.
2b c For second mark, do not allow
ns  1.6  108
cs 2
Allow: 1.66  108 or 1.70  108
c 3.00  10 8
CA  
nA 1.80 Allow: 1.6  10 8

 1.667  10 8  1.67  10 8 (ms 1 ) 

2c sin 72  1.80 sin θ  Correct answer on its own gets

both marks.
sin72 0.9510565 2
sinθ    0.5284... Do not allow 31 for second
1.80 1.80
mark.
θ  31.895  31.9, answer is correct if more than two Allow: 31.8–32
significant figures seen 

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 5 Optics
AQA Physics Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

2d 1.40 Correct answer on its own gets
1.80 sin θc  1.40 OR sinθ c   both marks.
1.80 2
Do not accept 51 by itself.
θc  51.058  51.1°  (accept 51)
OR
0.778 
2e 22 + their 2c (22 + 31.9  53.9)  If 2c + 22 > 5d then total
internal reflection expected.
53.9 > (51.1) critical angle  2
If 2c + 22 < 5d then refraction
OR expected.
2c + 22 < their 2d (θc), ecf from c and d  Allow max 1 for: Total internal
Angle less than critical angle  reflection because angle >
critical angle only if their 2d >
2c + 22.
Total 10
From AQA Physics A PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves mark scheme June 2013 (Question 5)
3a One of: Allow: measuring wavelength
or frequency from a named
(Spectral) analysis of light from stars
source of light.
OR (Analyse) composition of stars
OR Chemical analysis
Allow any other legitimate
OR Measuring red shift / rotation of stars  1 application that specifies the
source of light. E.g.,

absorption/emission spectra in
Insufficient answers: stars, ‘observe spectra of
materials’.
‘observe spectra’, ‘spectroscopy’, ‘view absorption /
emission spectrum’, ‘compare spectra’, ‘look at light from
stars’.
3bi first order beam Allow ‘n = 1’ , ‘1’ , ‘one’ , ‘1st’
OR first order spectrum 1
OR first order image 
3 b ii The light at A will appear white (and at B there will be a 1
spectrum) OR greater intensity at A 

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 5 Optics
AQA Physics Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

3
3c (d = 1 / (lines per mm × 10 )
= 6.757 × 10–7 (m) or 6.757 × 10–4 (mm) 

(n λ = d sin θ )
= 6.757 × 10–7 × sin 51.0 ecf only for:
 Incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct
3
calculation of d
 use of d = 1480, 1.48, 14.8 (etc)
 from incorrect order in 3 b ii

= 5.25 × 10–7 (m) ecf only for:

 incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct d
 from incorrect order in 3 b ii
3d n = d (sin 90) / λ or n = 6.757 × 10–7 / 5.25 × 10–7  Accept 1.28, 1.3
ecf both numbers from 3 c
Second line gets both marks
= 1.29 so no more beams observed or answer
consistent with their working
OR
2 = d (sin θ) / λ or sin θ = 2 × 5.25 × 10–7 / 6.757 × 10–7  2
ecf both numbers from 3 c
sin θ = 1.55 (so not possible to calculate angle) so no
more beams 
OR
Conclusion consistent with
sin–1 (2 × their λ) / their d ) 
working
(not possible to calculate) so no more beams ecf
Total 8
From AQA Physics A PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves mark scheme June 2014 (Question 6)
4ai Use of sin c = n2 / n1 
2
1.47 
4 a ii Use of n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 
Correct substitution  3
22.7 (°) 
4b Critical angle increases (closer to 90 degrees) due to
n2/n1 being closer to 1 
2
Angle at air–core boundary (θ1) will decrease due to
larger critical angle at core–cladding boundary 
Total 7
From AQA Physics B PHYB1 Harmony and Structure in the Universe January 2013 (Question 8)

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 5 Optics
AQA Physics Exam-style mark scheme

Question Answer Marks Guidance

5a Grating and screen shown with both labelled 
Laser or laser beam labelled  2
5b Any three of:
Correct use of (n)λ  d sin θ  4
Measure appropriate angle (for example, to first-order
beam is the minimum required) 
x
Method to measure angle (for example, tan θ  ,
D
spectrometer, accept protractor) 
At least one way of improving accuracy / reliability 
For full marks: also explain how d is calculated, for
example, d  1 / lines per mm ( 103) 
Total 6
From AQA Physics A PHYA2 Mechanics, Materials and Waves mark scheme January 2012 (Question 5)

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