Questions On Total Internal Reflection
Questions On Total Internal Reflection
1 shows a ray of light, from the top of an object PQ, passing through two glass
prisms.
Fig. 6.1
(a) Complete the path through the two prisms of the ray shown leaving Q. [1]
(b) A person looking into the lower prism, at the position indicated by the eye
symbol, sees an image of PQ.
State the properties of this image.
.....................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) Explain why there is no change in direction of the ray from P at points A, C, D
and F.
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.....................................................................................................................................[1]
(d) The speed of light as it travels from P to A is 3 × 108 m/s and the refractive
index of the prism glass is 1.5.
Calculate the speed of light in the prism.
speed = ........................[2]
(e) Explain why the ray AB reflects through 90° at B and does not pass out of the
prism at B.
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.....................................................................................................................................[2]
4. Fig. 6.1 shows a ray of light OPQ passing through a semi-circular glass block.
Fig. 6.1
(a) Explain why there is no change in the direction of the ray at P.
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.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) State the changes, if any, that occur to the speed, wavelength and frequency
of the light as it enters the glass block.
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.................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) At Q some of the light in ray OPQ is reflected and some is refracted.
On Fig. 6.1, draw in the approximate positions of the reflected ray and the
refracted ray. Label these rays. [2]
(d) The refractive index for light passing from glass to air is 0.67.
Calculate the angle of refraction of the ray that is refracted at Q into air.
Fig. 5.1
(a) Explain why the ray of light does not change direction at D and at F.
.....................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) State one property of the light which does change at D and at F. At each point say
whether it increases or decreases.
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.....................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) At E the light splits, with one ray along the surface of the prism and one ray along EF.
Draw the normal at E. Label the critical angle with the letter X and state its value.