Light and sound: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Light and sound (specification points 3.14–3.29), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 168 questions on Light and sound, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which range of frequencies of sound waves can be heard by humans? (1) A 2 Hz to 20 000 Hz B 2 Hz to 200 000 Hz C 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz D 20 Hz to 200 000 Hz
June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): The table gives some statements about sound waves. Complete the table by placing a tick () next to each correct statement. (2) Statement Correct () sound wave
June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): The diagram shows the trace on an oscilloscope screen when a sound wave is detected. On the screen, draw the trace for a quieter sound wave with a lower frequen
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): The ray of light is incident at the boundary between the optical fibre and air. The ray of light reflects at the boundary. Complete diagram 1 by drawing the ref
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why no light leaves the optical fibre when the light reflects at the boundary between the optical fibre and air. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q7(c) (4 marks): Diagram 2 shows a different ray of light, incident on the boundary between water and air. normal air water Diagram 2 Using diagram 2, show that the refractive i
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q8(a) (1 mark): Give the maximum frequency of sound that can be heard by humans. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q8(b) (4 marks): Determine if the sound wave displayed on the oscilloscope could be heard by humans. (4)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(a) (5 marks): Describe a method to determine the refractive index of the material. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (5)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking the refractive index and the critical angle of a material. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the critical angle of this material. (2) critical angle = degrees
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the term total internal reflection. (2)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): Use a protractor to determine the angle of incidence at the point where the ray of light is incident on side AB of the prism. (1) angle of incidence = degrees
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Complete the path of the ray of light. (2)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q8(a) (2 marks): Give an appropriate method for measuring the distance between the student and the wall. (2)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q8(b) (3 marks): The student uses a stopwatch to determine the time taken for the sound to travel from them to the wall and back again. The distance from the student to the wall
November 2024, Paper 2, Q8(c) (4 marks): Evaluate this method for determining an accurate value for the speed of sound. (4)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q8(d) (2 marks): Explain an improvement to the student’s method. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q8 (6 marks): The diagram shows two rays of light, A and B, incident on the boundary between air and water. light source drawn to scale B A air water The refractive index of
June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): State which wave property determines the pitch of a sound. (1)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): The bar chart shows the maximum frequency of sound heard by four animals and a human. 80 60 Frequency in kHz 40 20 0 A B C D E Explain which of the bars is most
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for ray A as it enters the glass block. (2) angle of incidence = degrees angle of refraction = degree
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the glass. (3) refractive index =
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the path of ray A until it crosses ray B. Label the point where the rays cross with the letter F. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The refractive index of glass for red light is lower than for green light. Explain what would happen to point F if red light were used instead of green light. Y
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): Give a reason why the students do not stand nearer to the wall. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): The students decide that one of their tests shows an anomalous result. Circle the anomalous result in the table. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a reason for the anomalous result. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the mean time between starting and stopping the timer. Give your answer to a suitable number of decimal places. (3) mean time = s
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b)(iv) (3 marks): The speed of sound in air can be calculated using the formula speed = distance travelled time taken Use the students’ results to calculate a value for the speed
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q9(a) (1 mark): Give the name of the piece of apparatus that must be connected to the oscilloscope to detect the sound wave. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): the normal line where the ray is incident on the mirror. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): the reflected ray of light. (2)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): Give the name of the piece of equipment that is connected to the oscilloscope to detect the sound wave. (1)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): State the name of the piece of equipment used to measure angles. (1)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for the light entering the prism. (2) angle of incidence = degrees angle of refraction = degrees
June 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the glass. (2) refractive index =
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): The table gives the frequencies of some different sound waves. Place ticks () in the table to show which sound waves can be heard by humans. (2) Frequency Soun
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows the screen of an oscilloscope when a sound wave is detected. Add to the diagram by drawing the trace of another sound wave that has a lower pi
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the speed of sound when the air temperature is 46 °C. (2) speed of sound = m / s
January 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw the path of the ray of light in air before it passed through the boundary. (1) refracted ray glass air Diagram 1
January 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the name of the wave behaviour responsible for the path of the ray of light as it passes from air into the optical fibre. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q6(c) (3 marks): Diagram 2 shows the path of the ray of light as it travels through the optical fibre. Diagram 2 Explain the path of the ray of light as it travels through the o
January 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): Give the name of the equipment that should be connected to the oscilloscope to detect the sound wave. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which diagram shows a light ray correctly reflected from a mirror? (1) mirror mirror A B mirror mirror C D
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(b) (1 mark): Name the equipment needed to measure the angle of incidence on a ray diagram. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Determine the time taken for the light to travel from the Earth to the Moon and back again. (2) time taken = s
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Measure the angle of incidence for the ray at point K. Which of these is the angle of incidence? (1) A 43° B 47° C 51° D 55°
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a)(iii) (3 marks): The block has a refractive index of 1.52 Use the formula to show that the angle of refraction is about 30° for the ray at point K. (3)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): The refractive index of the block is 1.52 Calculate the critical angle of the block. (3)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): State what happens to the ray at point L. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): The device emits a sound wave. The sound wave travels to the wall, reflects back to the device and is received by the device. The distance from the device to th
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(c) (1 mark): Suggest why the device emits visible light. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(d) (3 marks): Sound waves and light waves can have different frequencies and wavelengths. Describe three other differences between sound waves and light waves. You may draw d
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): State the frequency range for human hearing. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the piece of apparatus that could be connected to the oscilloscope to detect the ultrasound waves. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (5 marks): Describe an investigation to determine the speed of sound. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (5)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the independent variable in this investigation. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the student’s results for an angle of incidence of 40°. Angle of refraction 1 (°) Angle of refraction 2 (°) Angle of refraction 3 (°) 22 23 67 C
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe how the student could improve their method to get a more accurate value for the refractive index. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of this material. (2) refractive index =
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): The refractive index of a different material is 1.7 Calculate the critical angle of this material. (2) critical angle = degrees
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c) (2 marks): Diagram 2 shows a ray of light travelling through an optical fibre. Diagram 2 The optical fibre is made of a material with a refractive index of 1.7 Explain the
January 2022, Paper 1, Q4(a) (1 mark): Name the apparatus that can be used to measure angles during the investigation. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Label the angle of incidence. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Measure the angle of incidence. (1) angle of incidence = degrees
January 2022, Paper 1, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the ray reflected from the mirror. (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the angle of refraction for the violet light. (1) angle of refraction = degrees
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the prism for violet light. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. (3) refractive index = Diagram 2 shows rays of red ligh
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(b) (3 marks): Deduce a possible relationship between the wavelength and the refractive index for colours of the visible spectrum. (3)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Deduce whether humans can hear the sound wave. (2)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a) (6 marks): Describe an experiment to determine the refractive index of a glass block. In your answer you should include • a labelled diagram • the apparatus needed • the m
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b) (2 marks): Give two uses of total internal reflection. (2) 1 2
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the wave behaviour that causes the sound waves to change direction when they reach the fish. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (4 marks): The table gives some data about the sound waves used. frequency of sound waves 4.0 MHz speed of sound waves in water 1500 m/s time between emission and detectio
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Estimate the distance travelled by a 2 MHz wave when its amplitude is 25% of its original value. (1) distance = cm
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe what the graph shows about the penetrating ability of high frequency sound waves as they travel through soft tissue. (3)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a) (5 marks): Describe how the students should use their equipment to measure the speed of sound in air. You may draw a diagram to support your answer. (5)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean time for the last row in the table. (2) mean time = s
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): The students think that some of their time readings are anomalous. State how the students should deal with these anomalous readings. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain which distance in the table is likely to give the most accurate value for the speed of sound in air. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): The student places the glass block on a piece of paper and draws round the block with a pencil. Name two additional pieces of equipment the student will need fo
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw the path of the ray of light when it leaves the glass block. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw the normal line at the point where the ray of light enters the glass block. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Determine the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction at the point where the ray of light enters the glass block. (2) angle of incidence = ° angle of ref
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(iv) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(b)(v) (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the glass block. (2) refractive index =
November 2021, Paper 1, Q6(c) (3 marks): A teacher suggests that a more accurate value for the refractive index can be found using a graphical method. Design a method to obtain a value for the refracti
November 2021, Paper 2, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the piece of equipment that should be used with an oscilloscope to detect a sound wave. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (2 marks): On diagram 2, draw the reflected ray from point X. (2) incident ray 64° X refracted ray Diagram 2
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): Measure the angle of refraction at point X on diagram 2. (1) angle = degrees
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(iv) (2 marks): Show that the refractive index of the transparent material is about 1.7 (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(v) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index and critical angle. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(vi) (2 marks): Calculate the critical angle for the transparent material. (2) critical angle = degrees QUESTION 11 CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
June 2021, Paper 1, Q11(b) (3 marks): Explain the behaviour of the light at points Y and Z. (3) ray of light X not to scale Y Z
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Calculate the total distance the sound wave travels from student A to the wall and back to student B. (1) distance = m
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Student B hears the sound before and after the sound wave reflects from the wall. When student B hears the sound before reflection, he starts the stopwatch. Whe
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(c) (4 marks): Calculate the speed of sound for this investigation. (4) speed = m/s
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(d) (1 mark): Suggest a reason why the students’ results are not always the same. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): When the frequency of the alternating current is 10 kHz, the student hears a sound. The student increases the frequency of the alternating current to 25 kHz. Ex
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Some of the light is reflected from the surface of the block at point A. On diagram 1, draw this reflected ray of light. (1)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Use a protractor to determine the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction of the red light at point A on diagram 1. (2) angle of incidence = degrees angl
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of the glass for red light. (2) refractive index =
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(v) (3 marks): Describe how the student could improve her investigation to obtain a more reliable value of the refractive index. (3)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(b) (3 marks): The student replaces the red light with a blue light. Diagram 2 shows a ray of blue light directed at point A, at the same angle of incidence as the previous ra
January 2021, Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): State two differences between light waves and sound waves. (2) 1 2
January 2021, Paper 2, Q1(c) (2 marks): The grid shows the oscilloscope trace for a quiet, low‑pitch sound wave. The security camera has an alarm that produces a loud, high‑pitch sound. On the grid, d
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): Use a protractor to determine the angle of refraction. (1) angle of refraction = degrees
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c) (3 marks): Calculate the refractive index of this glass. (3) refractive index =
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b) (5 marks): Another student uses this method to determine the speed of sound. Step 1 The student stands 50 m away from her teacher, measuring the distance with a metre rul
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): The critical angle of the cold air at the boundary is 88.500° Calculate the refractive index of the cold air. Give your answer to 5 significant figures. (3) ref
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Diagram 2 shows a ray of light from the Sun. The refractive index of the atmosphere is greater than the refractive index of space. Complete the diagram by drawi
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): Diagram 3 shows a ray of light from the Sun when the Sun is directly overhead. ray of light from Sun space atmosphere Earth Diagram 3 Explain why the ray of lig
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the wavelength of the light reduces when it enters the atmosphere. (2)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q8(b)(iv) (1 mark): Suggest why the Sun appears not to be circular when it is close to the horizon at sunset. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): A person standing 1860 m away from the site of a meteor explosion hears the sound of the explosion 5.6 s later. Calculate the speed of sound in air. (2) speed o
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): A scientist stands a long way from the meteor explosion. Explain why he hears the explosion at a different time to when he sees it. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q12(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the critical angle for the boundary between acetone, and air. (1) critical angle = °
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q12(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q12(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the refractive index of acetone. (2) refractive index =
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q12(b) (3 marks): Diagram 2 shows a ray of light incident on the boundary between water and air. air 13° water 43° Diagram 2 Explain how the refractive index of water compares to
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe how the student could determine the speed of sound in air using his calculated value of time taken. (3)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the student does not use a stop clock in this investigation. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why it is important for all the Bunsen burners to burn the same amount of gas each second. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the student’s results. Temperature in °C Time Speed in ms in m/s sensor 1 sensor 2 sensor 3 mean 20.3 20.2 19.9 20.1 4.37 344 29.9 31.3 30.0 30.
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): The student plots his results and draws the line of best fit. Draw a circle around the anomalous result. (1) 370 + + 360 + Speed in m/s + 350 + 340 20 30 40 50
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(iv) (1 mark): State how the student should deal with the anomalous result. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(v) (2 marks): Explain why a line graph is the correct type of graph to display these results. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(vi) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between the speed of sound in air and temperature. (2)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe what happens to the light ray when it enters the prism at point A. (2)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the name of line XY. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(a)(iv) (3 marks): The refractive index for the glass in this prism is 1.6 Calculate the critical angle for the glass in this prism. (3) critical angle = °
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(a)(v) (2 marks): Complete Diagram 1 by continuing the path of the light ray from point B. (2)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q10(b) (2 marks): Diagram 2 shows a similar prism that is made from a material with a different refractive index. The critical angle for the material of this prism is 55° Complet
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(vi) (2 marks): The student cannot hear the sound from the sonometer for some of the string lengths tested. Explain which of the string lengths produce sounds that humans canno
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Diamond has a critical angle of 26 degrees. Calculate the refractive index of diamond. (2) refractive index =
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (3 marks): The diagram shows a light ray entering a block of diamond. Complete the diagram to show the light ray emerging from the block. (3) 30° light ray
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (4 marks): against sin(r) to determine the refractive index. (i) The student uses this equipment ● a ray box ● a rectangular glass block ● a protractor ● a pencil Describe
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (3 marks): The table shows the student’s results. sin(i) sin(r) 0.10 0.06 0.30 0.19 0.50 0.31 0.70 0.44 0.90 0.56 Plot a graph of the student’s results. (3)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(iii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(iv) (2 marks): Use the graph to calculate the refractive index of the glass block. (2) refractive index =
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term refraction. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw the path of the ray of light in the water. (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(b)(iii) (2 marks): Show that the refractive index of water is about 1.3 (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain the meaning of the term critical angle. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(c)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the critical angle of water. Assume the refractive index of water is 1.3 (3) critical angle =
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(c)(iv) (2 marks): A ray of light leaves the torch as shown in the diagram. Complete the path of the ray of light. (2) air water 55° torch
June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(a) (5 marks): Describe an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (5)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (3 marks): Complete diagram 1 by showing ● the wavefronts in the water ● the path of the light ray in the water (3)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain what happens to the wavelength of light when it passes from air into water. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Add the normal to diagram 2. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): Measure the angle of incidence in diagram 2. (1) angle of incidence = degrees
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(iii) (3 marks): The glass has a refractive index of 1.6 Calculate the critical angle of the glass-air boundary. (3) critical angle = degrees
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(iv) (3 marks): Explain the path of the light ray shown in diagram 2. (3)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why the speed of sound in liquids is greater than the speed of sound in gases. (2)

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