1 The diagram shows a wave.

displacement from
undisturbed position
Q
P
0
0 position
R S along wave

Which dimensions describe the properties of the wave?

A P = amplitude, S = speed
B P = speed, Q = wavelength
C R = amplitude, Q = wavelength
D R = amplitude, S = wavelength

2 Which row describes some characteristics of an image formed in a plane mirror?

image type image size

A real diminished
B real same size as the object
C virtual diminished
D virtual same size as the object

3 The range of audible frequencies for elephants is 10 Hz to 12 000 Hz, and for horses is 55 Hz to
33 000 Hz.

Which statement about the range of audible frequencies for a healthy human ear is correct?

A The human ear can hear all sounds heard by both elephants and horses.
B The human ear can hear all sounds heard by elephants but not all those heard by horses.
C The human ear can hear all sounds heard by horses but not all those heard by elephants.
D The human ear cannot hear all sounds heard by elephants nor those heard by horses.
4 An object is placed in front of a plane mirror.

The ray diagram shows the reflection of one ray of light from the object by the mirror.

plane mirror

object

Where does the mirror form an image of the object?

A B
image image

C D

image

image

5 Light refracts as it enters glass from air, as shown.

T1 air
glass

T2

Which expression is equal to the refractive index of glass?

sin  1 sin  1 sin(90 –  1) sin(90 –  1)

A B C D
sin  2 sin(90 –  2) sin  2 sin(90 –  2)
6 Light travelling at a speed of 3.0  108 m / s strikes the surface of a glass block and undergoes
refraction as it enters the block.

The diagram shows a ray of this light before and after it enters the block.

55q

glass block

33q

What is the speed of light in the glass?

A 1.8  108 m / s

B 2.0  108 m / s

C 4.5  108 m / s

D 5.0  108 m / s

7 Which row about converging lenses and diverging lenses is correct?

converging lenses diverging lenses

A always produce inverted images can focus a parallel beam of light

B can be used as magnifying glasses do not have a principal focus
C can be used to correct short-sightedness are usually thinner than converging lenses
D can produce real and virtual images can be used to correct short-sightedness
8 A transverse wave moves along a rope.

The diagram shows the position of the rope at one particular time.

rope

W X Y Z

Which two labelled points are one wavelength apart?

A W and X B W and Z C X and Z D Y and Z

9 Light in transparent plastic meets a boundary with air. Light is transmitted into the air only if the
angle marked θ in the diagram is greater than 36°.

air
T plastic

What is the refractive index of the plastic?

A 0.59 B 0.81 C 1.2 D 1.7

10 A thin converging lens has a focal length f. An object O is placed to the left of the lens, as shown.

f f

Where is the image formed and how does its size compare to the object?

image position image size

A on the opposite side of the lens to the object larger than the object
B on the opposite side of the lens to the object smaller than the object
C on the same side of the lens as the object larger than the object
D on the same side of the lens as the object smaller than the object
11 Which diagram shows what happens when a ray of white light passes through a prism?

A B

spectrum
white white
light light
spectrum

C D
spectrum

white white
light light spectrum
1 (a) (i) Table 5.1 shows applications of regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Complete the second column of the table with the region of the electromagnetic spectrum
used for each application.

Choose from the regions in this list:

gamma rays infrared microwaves radio waves ultraviolet

Each region may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Table 5.1

application region of electromagnetic spectrum

cancer treatment gamma rays
Bluetooth data connection
optical fibres
security marking
sterilising food
wireless internet
[3]

(ii) State the approximate speed of radio waves in air.

speed = .................................................. m / s [1]

(b) Fig. 5.1 shows successive crests of a wave after a plane wave has passed through a gap.

Fig. 5.1

(i) On Fig. 5.1 draw three successive crests before the wave reaches the gap. [2]
(ii) Fig. 5.2 shows a much wider gap. A plane wave of the same wavelength as in (b)(i) is
incident on the gap from the left side of the barrier.

Fig. 5.2

On Fig. 5.2, draw three successive crests of the wave after the wave has passed through
the gap. [2]

[Total: 8]
2 Fig. 6.1 shows a full‑scale diagram of an object O and its image I produced by a converging lens.
The lens and its position on the principal axis are not shown.

principal axis

Fig. 6.1

(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw:

• a single ray to locate the position of the centre of the converging lens
• a line to represent the position of the lens and label the line L.
[2]

(b) Determine the focal length of the lens by drawing another ray on Fig. 6.1.

focal length = ......................................................... [2]

(c) The object is moved 2.0 cm closer to the lens.

State two changes to the characteristics of the image.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 6]
3 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows a semicircular transparent plastic block.

semicircular
transparent
plastic block

Fig. 5.1

A ray of light is incident normally on the curved surface of the block. The refractive index of
the plastic is 1.5.

(i) Calculate the critical angle for the plastic.

critical angle = ......................................................... [2]

(ii) On Fig. 5.1, draw the path of the ray in the block and after the ray emerges from the
block. [2]

(b) Fig. 5.2 is a full‑scale diagram of a lens and an object O.

lens

F O

Fig. 5.2

The point marked F shows the position of a principal focus of the lens.

(i) Determine the focal length of the lens.

focal length = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) On Fig. 5.2, draw two rays from the object to locate the image. Label the image I. [3]
(c) Fig. 5.3 shows a simplified diagram of an eye with rays from a distant object and the path of
the rays inside the eye of a person with short sight.

retina

lens

Fig. 5.3

On Fig. 5.4, draw an additional lens outside the eye to correct short‑sightedness and show
the path of the rays inside the eye.

Fig. 5.4
[2]

[Total: 10]
4 (a) Sound waves have compressions and rarefactions.

Explain what is meant by compression and rarefaction.

compression .............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

rarefaction .................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) We can see light from the Sun but we cannot hear any sound from it.

State the reason for this.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) During a thunderstorm, an observer sees the lightning almost immediately but hears the
sound of the thunder several seconds later. The thunder and lightning are produced at the
same time.

The sound of the thunder is heard 9.0 s after the lightning is seen. The speed of sound in air
is 340 m / s.

Calculate the distance from the thunderstorm to the observer.

distance = ......................................................... [2]

5 A student determines the focal length of a converging lens by two methods.

illuminated object
u v1
plain white screen
lamp
lens
bench

Fig. 3.1

(a) The student sets up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 3.1.

Suggest one precaution that must be taken when setting up the apparatus to ensure accurate
measurements.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The student sets the distance u between the illuminated object and the lens to 20.0 cm.

He places the screen near the lens and moves the screen until a sharp image of the
illuminated object is seen on the screen.

(i) Describe a technique for obtaining an image that is as sharp as possible.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Measure v1, the distance from the lens to the screen on Fig. 3.1.

v1 = ........................................................ cm

Fig. 3.1 is drawn to 1/10th scale.

Calculate V1, the actual distance from the lens to the screen.

V1 = ........................................................ cm
[2]
(c) The shapes of the illuminated object and the image seen on the screen are shown full size in
Fig. 3.2 and Fig. 3.3.

hI
hoo

Fig. 3.2 Fig. 3.3

(i) Measure hO, the height of the illuminated object, as shown in Fig. 3.2.

hO = ........................................................ cm

Measure hI, the height of the image on the screen, as shown in Fig. 3.3.

hI = ........................................................ cm
[1]
hI
(ii) Calculate a value M for the magnification, using the equation M = .
hO

M = ......................................................... [1]

(d) Calculate a value f1 for the focal length of the lens. Use your values from (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) and
V1
the equation f1 = .
(M + 1)

f1 = ......................................................... [1]

(e) Describe one difficulty that is experienced when using a ruler to measure the height of the
image in this experiment. Suggest an improvement to the apparatus to overcome this.

difficulty .....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

improvement .............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(f) The student adjusts the position of the lens so that u = 40.0 cm and obtains a new value V2
for the distance between the lens and the screen.

25.1
V2 = ........................................................ cm

Calculate a second value f2 for the focal length of the lens, using the equation
uV2
f2 = (u + V ) .
2

f2 = ......................................................... [1]

(g) Suggest which value of focal length, f1 or f2, might be more accurate. Explain your answer.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 11]