Refraction, diffraction and interference: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

Every AQA A-Level Physics exam question on 3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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Q15
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 Paper 1, question 15: A student derives the equation nλ = dsinθ for the production of a diffraction pattern on a screen. This derivation requires that: [1 mark] A the diffraction ang$
Q17
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q18
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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$June 2025 Paper 1, question 18: A light ray passes from medium X to medium Y. The refractive index of X is 1.33 What is the refractive index of Y? [1 mark] A 0.86 B 1.22 C 1.74 D 2.32$
Q19
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
Q20
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 Paper 1, question 20: Monochromatic light of wavelength 420 nm is incident normally on a plane transmission diffraction grating that has a slit separation of 3.6 μm. What is the tota$
Q02.1
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 02.1: What happens to the frequency of the light as it enters the glass core? Tick () one box. [1 mark] It decreases. It is unchanged. It increases. The refractive i$
Q02.2
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
2 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 02.2: The critical angle at the core–cladding boundary is 80.7° Calculate the refractive index of the cladding. [2 marks] refractive index of cladding = Figure 1 show$
Q02.3
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
2 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q02.4
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
3 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q01.1
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 01.1: State one safety precaution when using a laser in a school laboratory. [1 mark] A piece of squared paper is positioned parallel to the diffraction grating. Figu$
Q01.2
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
2 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q01.3
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
3 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q01.4
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
2 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 01.4: The student changes the distance between the grating and the paper so that B and D are at the edges of the paper as shown in Figure 2. The paper and diffraction$
Q11
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q14
June 2025 · AS Paper 2
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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$June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 14: Monochromatic light passes from air to glass. The light has a wavelength of 632 nm in air. The refractive index of the glass is 1.50 What is the wavelength of t$
Q03.1
June 2024 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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Q03.2
June 2024 · Paper 1
2 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
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$June 2024 Paper 1, question 03.2: Deduce which prism, A or B, has the greater refractive index. [2 marks]$
Q03.3
June 2024 · Paper 1
1 mark3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2024 Paper 1, question 03.3: Describe one non-astronomical application of a diffraction grating. [1 mark]$
Q03.4
June 2024 · Paper 1
3 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗
$June 2024 Paper 1, question 03.4: Figure 2 shows a spectrum of light. Two lines in the spectrum are labelled X and Y. Figure 2 The light passes at normal incidence through a diffraction grating.$
Q03.5
June 2024 · Paper 1
3 marks3.3.2 Refraction, diffraction and interference
The whole paper ↗

All 163 questions on Refraction, diffraction and interference, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A student derives the equation nλ = dsinθ for the production of a diffraction pattern on a screen. This derivation requires that: [1 mark] A the diffraction ang
June 2025, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Monochromatic light of wavelength λ is used in a double-slit experiment. The slits are vertical and have a separation s. A narrow screen of width Y is placed a
June 2025, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A light ray passes from medium X to medium Y. The refractive index of X is 1.33 What is the refractive index of Y? [1 mark] A 0.86 B 1.22 C 1.74 D 2.32
June 2025, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The critical angle at a boundary between two media is 53°. The speed of light in one medium is 2.6 × 108 m s−1. What is the speed of light in the other medium?
June 2025, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Monochromatic light of wavelength 420 nm is incident normally on a plane transmission diffraction grating that has a slit separation of 3.6 μm. What is the tota
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (1 mark): What happens to the frequency of the light as it enters the glass core? Tick () one box. [1 mark] It decreases. It is unchanged. It increases. The refractive i
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): The critical angle at the core–cladding boundary is 80.7° Calculate the refractive index of the cladding. [2 marks] refractive index of cladding = Figure 1 show
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (2 marks): Calculate the maximum value of θA for the ray to be transmitted through the optical fibre. [2 marks] maximum value of θA = °
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q02.4 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows the path of a ray of light that enters at the centre of the straight optical fibre at a smaller value of θA. Only the first two total internal re
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (1 mark): State one safety precaution when using a laser in a school laboratory. [1 mark] A piece of squared paper is positioned parallel to the diffraction grating. Figu
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): C is the central maximum. Determine ∆x, the distance between C and the spot at the second-order maximum. Go on to determine the percentage uncertainty in ∆x. [2
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (3 marks): When the readings in Table 1 were taken, the distance between the grating and the paper was 1.20 m. The grating has 300 lines per mm. Determine an accurate valu
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q01.4 (2 marks): The student changes the distance between the grating and the paper so that B and D are at the edges of the paper as shown in Figure 2. The paper and diffraction
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): Two coherent sources generate sound waves of wavelength 0.40 m. The waves are in phase when they leave the sources. The path difference between a detector and e
June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Monochromatic light passes from air to glass. The light has a wavelength of 632 nm in air. The refractive index of the glass is 1.50 What is the wavelength of t
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.1 (1 mark): Complete, on Figure 1, the path of the ray of light inside the block. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.2 (2 marks): Deduce which prism, A or B, has the greater refractive index. [2 marks]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.3 (1 mark): Describe one non-astronomical application of a diffraction grating. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.4 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows a spectrum of light. Two lines in the spectrum are labelled X and Y. Figure 2 The light passes at normal incidence through a diffraction grating.
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.5 (3 marks): A scientist wants to obtain an accurate value for the difference in wavelength between line X and line Y. She has two options: • option 1: to analyse the second
June 2024, Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): Point sources of sound of the same frequency are placed at S1 and S2. A sound detector is moved slowly along the line PQ. Consecutive maxima of sound intensity
June 2024, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Monochromatic light is used in a Young’s double-slit interference experiment after passing through a single slit. The resulting fringe pattern is observed on a
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (3 marks): Deduce the relationship between d and the wavelength λ of light that produces a bright fringe. [3 marks]
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): 0 4 Figure 13 shows an arrangement used to determine the thickness of metal foil using interference of light. Figure 13 Two thin glass plates are separated by t
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q04.3 (3 marks): The space between the plates is now filled with water. The same light source is used, and t and l remain the same as before. Deduce how the distance s will chan
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q07 (1 mark): Monochromatic light of wavelength 520 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The third-order maximum occurs at a diffraction angle θ. Light of wavele
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Sources M1 and M2 emit coherent microwaves of wavelength 5.0 cm. When M1 and M2 are very close, a maximum of intensity occurs at a point D that is 1.0 m away. M
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): The cladding of a step-index optical fibre [1 mark] A must not be transparent. B must have a higher refractive index than the core. C reduces signal loss. D red
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.1 (1 mark): Show that the glass used to make the prism has a refractive index of about 1.5 [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.2 (2 marks): Explain why the ray emerges parallel to the incident ray. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.3 (3 marks): Draw on Figure 8 the path of the ray of light as it continues inside the prism and emerges from the longest side. [3 marks]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.4 (4 marks): When the angle of incidence is greater than θ, some of the light escapes the prism through one of the shorter sides. Assume that the refractive index is 1.5 and
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.5 (4 marks): A manufacturer wants to make a prism with a larger value of θ. Two alternative changes to the original design of the prism are suggested: 1. use a prism of the
June 2023, Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): A double slit with a separation s is illuminated by light of wavelength λ. Fringes with spacing w are produced on a screen placed a distance D from the slits. T
June 2023, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): A single narrow slit is illuminated with monochromatic light and a diffraction pattern is produced. The slit width is increased. What happens to the width and b
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows how A and B vary with time at the upper surface. Figure 2 In the layer, the light has a wavelength of 356 nm. The thickness of the layer is 89 nm
June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q02.4 (4 marks): 89 nm is the minimum thickness that will produce a phase difference of 137° between A and B. Calculate the refractive index of the material of the layer. [4 mar
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): Explain why the light ray in Figure 12 does not change direction as it enters the block. [1 mark]
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): The refractometer is calibrated using a drop of liquid. When θ = 15°, light is partially refracted at the glass–liquid boundary. Calculate the angle of refracti
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Explain why the intensity of the light ray on the screen increases at T. [2 marks]
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04.4 (2 marks): The liquid is replaced with a drop of sugar solution. The refractive index of the sugar solution is greater than 1.33 Deduce how this change affects the positio
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04.5 (3 marks): The refractometer in Figure 13 is used to determine the concentration of a sugar solution. Figure 14 shows the variation of refractive index with concentration
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q05 (1 mark): [multiple choice] Light of wavelength λ is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The separation between adjacent slits is equal to 5λ. What is the smalles
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q06 (1 mark): S1 and S2 are coherent sources of microwaves that produce waves of the same amplitude. A microwave detector gives a zero reading when placed at a point that is
June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): A central diffraction maximum is observed when monochromatic light of wavelength λ passes through a single slit of width s. Which combination of changes to λ an
June 2022, Paper 1, Q06.1 (1 mark): Explain how the path of the ray shows that the refractive index of A is greater than the refractive index of B. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q06.2 (2 marks): Show that the angle of refraction of the ray in B is about 60°. [2 marks]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q06.3 (3 marks): Draw, on Figure 12, the path of the ray immediately after it reaches P. Justify your answer with calculations. [3 marks] END OF SECTION A Section B
June 2022, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Light of wavelength 5.2 × 10−7 m is used in a Young’s double-slit experiment. The distance from the slits to the screen is 1.5 m. The width of ten fringes is 3.
June 2022, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Monochromatic light of wavelength 5.8 × 10−7 m is incident normally on a plane transmission diffraction grating that has a slit separation of 2.5 × 10−6 m. How
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q03.2 (2 marks): A and B reflect and return to the satellite. The travel time is the time between the emission of a pulse and its return to the satellite. The difference in the
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q03.3 (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the ice. [2 marks] refractive index =
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q03.4 (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the infrared radiation when it is inside the ice sheet. [2 marks] wavelength = m
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03.3 (2 marks): A second loudspeaker receives the same data from the mobile phone. The two loudspeakers act as coherent sources of sound waves. State the two conditions require
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (2 marks): Show that the difference between the path lengths AM and BM is approximately 0.3 m. [2 marks]
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03.5 (2 marks): The speed of sound is 340 m s−1. Determine the frequency of the sound waves. [2 marks] frequency = Hz
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): Monochromatic visible light is incident normally on a plane transmission diffraction grating that has 4.8 × 105 lines m−1. First-order maxima are observed at an
June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Which combination produces the smallest modal dispersion in an optical fibre? [1 mark] Refractive index of core Refractive index of cladding A 1.5 1.4 B 1.4 1.5
November 2021, Paper 1, Q02.3 (1 mark): Suggest why Young’s double-slit equation should not be used to determine the wavelength. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q02.4 (3 marks): The wavelength is known to be about 3 cm. Deduce whether this practical arrangement is suitable for a determination of a value for the wavelength. [3 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.1 (1 mark): Calculate the speed of the light ray in the optical fibre. [1 mark] speed = m s−1
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.2 (3 marks): Calculate A, in degrees, for the optical fibre shown in Figure 4. [3 marks] A = degrees
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.3 (3 marks): A ray is incident on the optical fibre at angle A. The optical fibre is now bent, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 Draw, on Figure 5, what happens to the ray with
November 2021, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): A diffraction grating is illuminated normally. The second-order maximum for light of wavelength 650 nm occurs at the same angle as the third-order maximum for l
November 2021, Paper 3A, Q02.1 (3 marks): Light from LR is incident normally on a plane diffraction grating. The fifth-order maximum for light of wavelength p occurs at a diffraction angle of 76.3°. Det
November 2021, Paper 3A, Q02.2 (1 mark): Suggest one possible disadvantage of using the fifth-order maximum to determine N. [1 mark]
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (1 mark): Light of wavelength λ travels from each illuminated slit, producing maxima on the screen. State the path difference between light from adjacent slits when this
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q02.2 (3 marks): Explain how light from the diffraction grating forms a maximum on the screen. [3 marks]
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (2 marks): Deduce the combination of disc and laser pointer that will produce the greatest possible number of interference maxima. [2 marks]
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q02.4 (3 marks): The student uses the CD and laser pointer B as shown in Figure 4. A diffraction pattern is produced on the screen. Laser pointer B and the CD are in fixed posit
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q07.1 (2 marks): Explain what is meant by modal dispersion in an optical fibre. [2 marks] Figure 15 shows a ray of light incident on the central axis of an optical fibre at an a
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q07.2 (1 mark): Show that the horizontal component of the velocity of the pulse is approximately 1.9 × 108 m s−1. [1 mark]
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q07.3 (3 marks): The frequency of the blue light in the pulse is 720 THz. Calculate the speed of the blue light in the core of the optical fibre. [3 marks] speed = m s−1
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q07.4 (2 marks): Two pulses of monochromatic light are incident normally on the air−core boundary. They then travel along the central axis of the core. One pulse consists of blu
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q07.5 (1 mark): Another two pulses, identical to the pulses in Question 07.4, are incident on the central axis of the optical fibre and travel along its length. However, the pu
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): A ray of light is incident on the internal boundary of a rectangular glass block in air. Part of the light refracts out of the block at an angle of 30°. Some of
November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): In a Young’s double-slit experiment, monochromatic light is incident on two narrow slits and the resulting interference pattern is observed on a screen. Which c
November 2020, Paper 1, Q03.1 (2 marks): Explain why the two loudspeakers are coherent sources of sound waves. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q03.2 (3 marks): The student faces the two loudspeakers at point A. Point A is at equal distances from P and Q. He then moves to point B, at right angles to the line OA, still f
November 2020, Paper 1, Q03.3 (3 marks): The student records the following data: separation of the two loudspeakers = 0.30 m distance OA = 2.25 m distance from A to B = 0.95 m Show that the path differ
November 2020, Paper 1, Q03.4 (1 mark): The frequency of the sound wave is 2960 Hz. Calculate the speed of sound from the student’s data. [1 mark] speed of sound = m s−1
November 2020, Paper 1, Q03.5 (3 marks): The student moves his head to point C as shown in Figure 4. The emitted frequency of the sound from the loudspeakers is then gradually decreased. Figure 4 Discu
November 2020, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A monochromatic light wave travels from glass into air. Which row shows what happens to the wavelength, speed and photon energy? [1 mark] Wavelength Speed Photo
November 2020, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating that has 4.50 × 105 lines m−1. The angle between the second-order diffraction maxima is 44°. W
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (1 mark): State why the emergent ray does not change direction as it leaves the block. [1 mark]
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (4 marks): The student draws an arrow on the paper to mark the incident ray. She marks the path of the emergent ray with crosses A, B and C. She removes the block from the
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (1 mark): The refractive index n of the block is given by 2 0 2 1 R R n R R − = − Determine n. [1 mark] n =
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (3 marks): The camera’s signal is transmitted as a series of pulses through an optical fibre. Table 2 shows data for two optical fibres X and Y. Both optical fibres are id
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Light of wavelength is incident normally on two parallel slits of separation s. Fringes of spacing w are seen on a screen at a distance D from the slits. Which
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): A narrow beam of monochromatic light is incident normally to a diffraction grating. The first-order diffracted beam makes an angle of 20° with the normal to the
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): The speed of light decreases by 40% when it travels from air into a transparent medium. What is the refractive index of the medium? [1 mark] A 0.6 B 1.4 C 1.7 D
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.1 (1 mark): Suggest how the design ensures that there is no deviation of the ray as it enters the first prism. [1 mark]
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): Suggest two features of the design that ensure that there is no deviation of the ray as it leaves the first prism and enters the windscreen glass. [2 marks] 1 2
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.3 (2 marks): The refractive index of the windscreen glass is 1.52 Explain why the ray follows the path shown inside the windscreen glass in Figure 1. Support your answer wit
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.4 (2 marks): When it starts to rain, water droplets form on the outside of the windscreen as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 The refractive index of water is 1.33 Explain why th
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.5 (2 marks): The refractive index of the windscreen glass can vary by a few per cent across the thickness of the glass. Discuss how this variation may affect the path of the
June 2019, Paper 1, Q02.6 (2 marks): A different design has the LED and the detector further apart. The ray undergoes more reflections inside the windscreen glass before reaching the detector. Disc
June 2019, Paper 1, Q03.1 (2 marks): Describe the pattern produced on the screen. [2 marks]
June 2019, Paper 1, Q03.2 (2 marks): The green filter is replaced with a red filter. Describe the change in the pattern produced on the screen. [2 marks]
June 2019, Paper 1, Q03.3 (2 marks): A diffraction grating is placed between the red filter and the screen. The diffraction grating has 500 lines per millimetre. Light is incident normally on the g
June 2019, Paper 1, Q03.4 (2 marks): In practice, the filter transmits red light with wavelengths in the range 600 nm to 700 nm. Suggest how this affects the appearance of the maxima. [2 marks]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): Explain why the laser beam stays inside the stream of water. [2 marks]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (3 marks): Calculate the speed of the laser light in the water. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [3 marks] speed = m s–1
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): Calculate the critical angle for the water−air boundary. [1 mark] critical angle = degrees
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (6 marks): Tyndall’s experiment led to the development of optical fibres. Figure 5 shows a step-index optical fibre. Figure 5 Discuss the properties of a step-index optica
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.5 (2 marks): Scientists use optical fibres to monitor earthquakes. Light travelling through an optical fibre can be reflected by impurities in the fibre, as shown in Figure
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.4 (1 mark): Eye protection should be used to prevent eye damage when using a laser. Describe one other safety measure to minimise the risk of eye damage when using a laser
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.5 (1 mark): Figure 2 shows the experimental arrangement with y, the perpendicular distance between the diffraction grating and the screen, equal to 1.280 m. Table 2 shows s
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.6 (2 marks): Spot E is the second-order maximum. The diffraction grating has 3.00 × 105 lines per metre. Calculate the wavelength of the laser light. [2 marks] wavelength =
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q01.7 (2 marks): The student plans to repeat the experiment using the same diffraction grating and laser. State and explain one way the student can change the experimental arran
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): In a Young’s double-slit experiment, the spacing of the double slits is s and the distance between the slits and the screen on which fringes are formed is D. Wh
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): Monochromatic electromagnetic radiation of wavelength 5.8 × 10–7 m is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 3.0 × 105 lines per metre. What is the hig
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Which characteristics of monochromatic light change when the light passes from air into glass? [1 mark] A Speed, wavelength and frequency. B Speed and frequency
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q21 (1 mark): Which is a description of the pattern produced when monochromatic light passes through a very narrow slit? [1 mark] A A series of equally-spaced light and dark
June 2018, Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): In the diagram, P is the source of a wave of frequency 50 Hz The wave travels to R by two routes, P → Q → R and P → R. The speed of the wave is 30 m s−1 What is
June 2018, Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): Light from a point source passes through a single slit and is then incident on a double-slit arrangement. An interference pattern is observed on the screen. Wha
June 2018, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): A diffraction grating has 500 lines per mm. When monochromatic light is incident normally on the grating the third-order spectral line is formed at an angle of
June 2018, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): An electromagnetic wave enters a fibre-optic cable from air. On entering the cable, the wave slows down to three-fifths of its original speed. What is the refra
June 2018, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The diagram shows part of the path of a ray of light through a right-angled prism. The prism is made of glass of refractive index 1.5 The incident light ray is
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q07.1 (2 marks): Describe the interference pattern that is seen on the white screen. [2 marks]
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q07.2 (4 marks): A filter transmits only green light of wavelength and red light of wavelength 1.2 This filter is placed between the light source and the single slit. Describe t
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q07.3 (6 marks): A student decides to use the apparatus shown in Figure 8 to determine the wavelength of red light using a filter that transmits only red light. The student sugg
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (3 marks): Figure 9 shows an incident ray of light being partially reflected at the boundary between glass A and glass B. The refractive index nA of glass A is 1.461 The s
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (3 marks): Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical fibre strain gauge. Figure 10 A maximum intensity of the reflected light is produced due to superposition o
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Figure 12 shows the relationship between λR and the strain in two optical fibre strain gauges P and Q. The engineer wishes to measure small accelerations in ano
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): A ray of light is incident on a glass–air boundary of a rectangular block as shown. The refractive index of this glass is 1.5 The refractive index of air is 1.0
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Rays of light are incident at the same angle θ on the core–cladding boundary of optical fibres P and Q. The cores of P and Q have the same refractive index n. P
June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): A diffraction grating is illuminated normally with light of wavelength 6.5 × 10−7 m When a screen is 1.5 m from the grating, the distance between the zero and f
June 2017, Paper 1, Q03.1 (1 mark): The angle of refraction of the ray at the plane surface is 90°. Refractive index of the glass used = 1.6 Calculate the angle of incidence of the ray on the flat
June 2017, Paper 1, Q03.2 (2 marks): A thin film of liquid is placed on the flat surface of the glass block as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 The angle of incidence is changed so that the angle of ref
June 2017, Paper 1, Q03.3 (3 marks): The source of green light is changed for one that contains only red and blue light. For any material red light has a lower refractive index than green light, an
June 2017, Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): When a monochromatic light source is incident on two slits of the same width an interference pattern is produced. One slit is then covered with opaque black pap
June 2017, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): When light of wavelength 5.0 × 10−7 m is incident normally on a diffraction grating the fourth-order maximum is observed at an angle of 30°. What is the number
June 2017, Paper 3A, Q01.1 (1 mark): The ammeter reading depends on the superposition of waves travelling directly to R and other waves that reach R after reflection from M. State the phase differe
June 2017, Paper 3A, Q01.2 (1 mark): Explain why the minimum reading is not zero when the distance x is measured. [1 mark]
June 2017, Paper 3A, Q01.3 (2 marks): When M is moved further away the reading increases to a maximum then decreases to a minimum. At the first minimum position, a student labels the minimum n = 1 a
June 2017, Paper 3A, Q01.5 (2 marks): Determine using your results for Gmax and Gmin. [2 marks] = m Figure 4
June 2017, Paper 3A, Q01.7 (2 marks): Explain how the graph in Figure 4 can be used to obtain the value of y. You are not required to determine y. [2 marks]
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (3 marks): Explain why the signal strength falls to a minimum between B and C, and between C and D. [3 marks]
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (3 marks): Determine the frequency of the microwaves that are transmitted. [3 marks] frequency = Hz
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q04.3 (2 marks): The intensity of the waves passing through each slit is the same. Explain why the minimum intensity between C and D is not zero. [2 marks]
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q23 (1 mark): Which row shows the change in velocity, frequency and wavelength of an electromagnetic wave as it travels from an optically less dense to an optically more dens
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q24 (1 mark): The diagram shows a ray of light travelling in air and incident on a glass block of refractive index 1.5 What is the angle of refraction in the glass? [1 mark]
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q25 (1 mark): Intensity maxima are produced on a screen when a parallel beam of monochromatic light is incident on a diffraction grating. Light of a longer wavelength can be
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q27 (1 mark): Light of wavelength 500 nm is passed through a diffraction grating which has 400 lines per mm. What is the angular separation between the two second-order maxim
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): In a diffraction-grating experiment the maxima are produced on a screen. What causes the separation of the maxima of the diffraction pattern to decrease? [1 mar
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): White light passes through a single narrow slit and illuminates a screen. What is observed on the screen? [1 mark] A a set of equally spaced white fringes B a c
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Which of the following is correct when total internal reflection occurs? [1 mark] A The angle of incidence is less than the critical angle. B The light meets an
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q17 (1 mark): What is the speed of light in glass of refractive index 1.42? [1 mark] A 4.26 × 107 m s–1 B 2.11 × 108 m s–1 C 3.00 × 108 m s–1 D 4.73 × 108 m s–1
Specimen, Paper 1, Q05.1 (3 marks): Describe the structure of a step-index optical fibre outlining the purpose of the core and the cladding. [3 marks] 0 5 . 1
Specimen, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): A signal is to be transmitted along an optical fibre of length 1200 m. The signal consists of a square pulse of white light and this is transmitted along the ce
Specimen, Paper 1, Q05.3 (2 marks): Discuss two changes that could be made to reduce the effect described in part 5.2. [2 marks] 0 5 . 3
Specimen, Paper 1, Q06.1 (1 mark): Read through the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Measuring the speed of sound in air 5 10 After the wave nature of sound had been ide
Specimen, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Monochromatic light may be characterised by its speed, frequency and wavelength. Which of the following quantities change when monochromatic light passes from a
Specimen, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Monochromatic light of wavelength 490 nm falls normally on a diffraction grating that has 6 x 105 lines per metre. Which one of the following is correct? [1 mar
Specimen, Paper 2, Q06.3 (3 marks): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow Satellites used for telecommunications are usually in geostationary orbits. Using suitable dishe
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.1: Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.2 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.3 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.4 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.5: Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.6: Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we
Specimen, Paper 3A, Q03.7 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows how the refractive index n of a type of glass varies with the wavelength of light λ passing through the glass. The data for plotting the graph we

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