plumiWhat happens when light and sound meet different materials?: OCR GCSE Physics B questions
Every OCR GCSE Physics B exam question on P1.4 What happens when light and sound meet different materials?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q3(b)(ii)
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Q3(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)
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Q4(c)
The whole paper ↗Q2(f)(i)
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Q2(f)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q7(a)(i)
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Q7(a)(ii)
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Q4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(b)
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The whole paper ↗Q4(d)
The whole paper ↗Q12(a)
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Q12(b)
The whole paper ↗Q12(c)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)
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Q1(b)
The whole paper ↗Q1(c)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)
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All 65 questions on What happens when light and sound meet different materials?, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The laser is directed towards the mirror at different angles of incidence and the student measures the angle of reflection. The table shows the student’s result
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): The laser is now directed at the mirror so that the angle of incidence is 60°. Predict the angle of reflection. Explain how the data in the table supports your
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(a) (3 marks): Draw on the diagram: • the reflected ray of light • the normal, labelled N • the angle of incidence, labelled i • the angle of reflection, labelled r. [3]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(c) (2 marks): The diagram shows a ray of white light passing through a glass prism. The white light is split into the spectrum of different colours. Glass prism Red Orange Wh
- June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(f)(i) (1 mark): What does this symbol in the diagram mean? [1]
- June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(f)(ii) (1 mark): The angle of reflection, r, is labelled on the diagram. Label the angle of incidence, i, on the diagram. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): P-waves can travel through solids and liquids. S-waves can only travel through solids. Complete the table to show what conclusions scientists make about the str
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): The density of the mantle is not constant. Suggest why the path of the waves from the earthquake to A is curved. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Why do the clear buttons look clear when light is shone at them? [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Why do the black buttons look black when light is shone at them? [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b) (2 marks): Fig. 4.1 shows the path of some rays of light passing through two different types of glass lens. Fig. 4.1 State one similarity and one difference between these
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c) (2 marks): White light is shone at a glass prism, as shown in Fig. 4.2. Fig. 4.2 Air Glass Describe what happens to the light as it travels from the air, through the glass
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(d) (3 marks): A student investigates the relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of refraction for a ray of light passing through a glass block. This is the stu
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12(a) (1 mark): Complete the line to show the path of blue light as it passes out the other side. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12(b) (1 mark): Estimate the size of the angle of refraction of the ray of blue light as it enters the prism. Angle of refraction = ° [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12(c) (2 marks): Add another line to the diagram to show the path of a ray of red light as it passes through the prism and out the other side. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(a) (1 mark): Complete the line to show the path of blue light as it passes out the other side. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(b) (1 mark): Estimate the size of the angle of refraction of the ray of blue light as it enters the prism. Angle of refraction = ° [1]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(c) (2 marks): Add another line to the diagram to show the path of a ray of red light as it passes through the prism and out the other side. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(a) (2 marks): A green filter is placed between the lamp and the ball. Explain why the ball appears green. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a) (1 mark): What is the name of the dotted line P in Fig. 5.1? Tick (✓) one box. Boundary line Incident ray Normal line Reflected ray [1]
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b) (2 marks): Eve records the position of the ray by marking crosses on the paper and then joining them together. Describe two things that Eve should do to record the positio
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c) (1 mark): Fig. 5.2 shows the expected result from Eve’s investigation. A B C D Fig. 5.2 Write the letter (A, B, C or D) of the correct diagram. [1]
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(d) (2 marks): Eve wants to extend her experiment. Eve White light is a mixture of different wavelengths. I want to investigate the reflection of just one wavelength of light.
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(a) (2 marks): Which statements about the experiment are true and which are false? Tick (3) one box in each row. Statement True False A protractor is used to measure angle i.
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(b) (2 marks): Suggest one hazard in this experiment, and one way of reducing the risk of this hazard. Hazard Reducing risk of hazard [2]
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(c) (2 marks): Sam’s results are shown in the table. Angle of incidence, i° Angle of refraction, r° 10 7 20 13 30 19 40 25 50 30 60 34 70 38 80 40 Give two conclusions that Sa
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(d) (1 mark): Sam repeats the experiment with a ray of red light. Which diagram shows the correct path for the ray of red light? A B Normal Normal Blue Blue Prism Prism Red R
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(e) (1 mark): Give one reason for your answer to (d). [1]
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(a) (2 marks): Describe a method to record the path of the ray of light shown in Fig. 8.1. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(b) (2 marks): Fig. 8.2 shows a ray of light striking the mirror. Fig. 8.2 Complete Fig. 8.2 to show the ray of light reflected from the mirror. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q11(b) (2 marks): Describe how sounds are transmitted through the middle ear and suggest how this could affect the perceived loudness of different frequency sounds. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(a) (1 mark): Which ray diagram in Fig. 6.1 shows how rays of light are refracted by a concave lens? A B C D Fig. 6.1 Tick (3) one box. A B C D [1]
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the path of ray B. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Ray A enters the lens at point X and leaves the lens at point Y. Explain why ray A changes direction at the points X and Y. Use ideas about wave speed and wavel
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(c) (2 marks): Red light has a longer wavelength than blue light. Explain how the path of ray A in Fig. 6.2 would be different if red light was used. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b) (2 marks): When the lamp is switched on, visible light passes through the salt as it leaves the lamp. The salt lamp appears yellow. Complete the sentence to explain why th
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c) (2 marks): Jamal sees this claim on the packaging for the salt lamp. The lamp emits negative ions that will help you to sleep. I don’t trust this claim. It has not been pe
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(a) (2 marks): Complete Fig. 8.2 to show how rays of light are refracted by a convex lens. Clearly label the focus of the lens. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(b) (2 marks): Ali looks at three more lenses, as shown in Fig. 8.3. Lens A Lens B Lens C Fig. 8.3 Lenses A, B and C will make parallel rays of light spread out, because they
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(c) (2 marks): Ali wants to make a lens to focus sound waves. He uses a large convex glass lens that is designed to focus light. Sound travels faster in glass than in air. Sug
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which diagram, A, B, C or D, shows the correct path of the ray of white light through the glass block? A B :Normal :Normal Light ray Light ray Glass Glass block
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b) (1 mark): Nina then shines the ray of white light through a triangular prism, and observes that the white light spreads out into a band of colours, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Which colour of white light refracts the most? Tick (V) one box. Red Green Violet Yellow [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which colour of white light refracts the least? Tick (V) one box. Red Green Violet Yellow [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(c)(iii) (1 mark): Why do the different colours of white light refract by different amounts in Fig. 1.1?
- November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why Sundip is correct. Use the information in the table to support your answer. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): Sundip detected some S-waves in the UK later, but these did not travel through the centre of the Earth. Suggest how these S-waves reached Sundip’s detector in t
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(a) (2 marks): Complete the ray diagram to show what happens when a ray of white light enters and leaves a prism. You should include the normal lines on your diagram. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(b) (2 marks): Nina investigates whether to use a glass prism or a crystal prism for her rainbow maker. Nina measures the refracted angles of red light and violet light as the
- June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the following sentences about the observation in Fig. 3.2. Use words from the list. You may use each word once, more than once, or not at all. absorbs
- June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): What colour light can Sarah shine on the red and green cards to make them both appear black? Put a ring around the correct colour. blue green red white [1]
- June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b) (2 marks): Sarah is now investigating the refraction of light. A narrow beam of green light is incident on a plastic block. She measures the angle of incidence, i, and the
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q5(b) (4 marks): Fig. 5.2 is a diagram of a human eye. Ultrasound can be used to determine the length of an eyeball. Pulses of ultrasound are sent into the eye. retina pulses of
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q5(c) (2 marks): Fig. 5.3 shows the ultrasound pulses that were sent into the eye, as described in part (b). ultrasound sent into the eye ultrasound reflected at retina time Fig
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the path taken by the reflected light. mirror light bulb [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the water droplets covering the mirror make it look white. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(a) (3 marks): Complete the following sentences using the words below. absorption frequency reflection refraction speed transmission When light goes from air into glass, it ch
- June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the ripple tank diagram helps to explain the behaviour of light shown in part (a). [2]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(a) (2 marks): Explain why Mia finds it easier to hear some of these frequencies. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest one variable that should be controlled to make this new experiment a fair comparison with the first experiment. [1]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): The volume setting needed for each frequency is higher in the new experiment. Describe how the sound waves reach Mia and why they sound more faint. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q9(a) (2 marks): Layla uses a ray-box to send a ray of white light into a triangular glass prism at point A. She cannot see clearly what happens inside the prism, but she sees a
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Look at path A. The wave direction changes suddenly at the place ringed. Explain what this shows about the speed of the earthquake wave as it moves from the man
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Look at path B. The wave direction changes continuously. Explain what this shows about the speed of the earthquake waves in the mantle at different depths below
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