• How do our eyes see the colourful

musical fountain?
How do the colours get into the water7
• How does the light and water interact?
Chapter 12

In this section, you will learn the following:

• Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection. . .
• Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror, and give the characteristics of
the image.
• State that for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection; recall and use
this relationship.
• 0 Use simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors.

How do we represent light?

You have learnt that light is a form of electromagnetic wave. The wave nature of light enables it to
undergo reflection. This explains how we see things. We can see objects around us only if light from
them enters our eyes. Luminous objects, such as a lamp or a fire, can be seen because they give out
their own light. Non-luminous objects, such as a wal l picture, are visible to us because they reflect
light from a light source into our eyes (Figure 12.1).

lamp
(luminous object)
light from
the lamp

picture on the wall

(non-luminous object)

Figure 12.1 We are able to sere objects because they give out light or reflect light.

In physics, we use straight lines with arrows to represent paths of light. The arrows indicate the
direction in which the light travels. Such lines are called light rays. A beam of light is actually a bundle
of light rays.
A light beam can be a bundle of parallel rays, convergent rays or divergent rays (Figure 122).
We use parallel lines to represent light rays from a distant object (e.g. the Sun), and divergent lines
to represent light rays from a nearby object.

A Parallel light rays A Convergent light rays -..._. o·1vergent Iight rays
Figure 12.2 Different types oflight rays

Light
-
Below are some terms that are used to describe the reflection of light:
• Reflection is the rebounding of light at a surface.
• Incident ray is light ray that hits the reflecting surface.
• Point of incidence is the point at which the incident ray hits the reflecting surface.
• Reflected ray is light ray that bounces off the reflecting surface.
Can you identify the incident ray, point of incidence and reflected ray in Figure 12.1?

What is the law of reflection?

We can carry out Let's Investigate 12A to learn about the law that governs the reflection of light.
Recall the refiection of
waves that you have
Let's Investigate 12A learnt in Chapter 11.

Objective 0
To investigate the law of reflection
Apparatus
Plane mirror, ray box and power
supply, paper
Precautions
A ray box with a filament lamp may
get hot.
Procedure normal
Figure 12.3 ray box
1 Figure 123 shows the reflection of
light by a plane mirror. Note that the
mirror needs to be placed vertically
upright (i.e. at right angle to the sheet of paper).
2 Mark out a dotted line perpendicular to the mirror on the paper. This line is the called
the normal.
3 Label the intersection of the mirror and the normal, 'O'.
4 Switch on the ray box and direct a ray of light at point 0 .
5 Measure and record the angle of incidence i and the corresponding angle of reflection r.
6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 for different angles of incidence i.
Results and discussion
1
2
Every angle of incidence i is equal to its corresponding angle of reflection r.
The incident ray, reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same
(@ LINK
plane (i.e. a flat surface). L Prac~ al 12A

Our finding from Let's Investigate 12A is consistent with the law of reflection:
• the angle of incidence i is equal to the angle of reflection r (i.e. i = r). /ft ENRICHMENT*
Below is a summary of a few more terms you need to know for reflection of light: \SI THINK
• Normal is the imaginary line perpendicular to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence. Explain why the
shoes (Figure 12.4)
• Angle of Incidence i is the angle between the Incident ray and the normal.
shine after they have
• Angle of reflection r is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal. been polished.

: Figure 12.4 Polished shoes

-,
Light 181 t:
'
, ------ - -- ~
;

', Chapter 12

Worked Example 12A

Figure 12.5 shows a ray of light incident on a mirror.
(a) State the relationship between the angle of incidence
and the angle of reflection.
(b) Complete the diagram to show the reflected ray.
(c) What is the angle of incidence?
(d) What is the angle of reflection? Figure 12.5
Solution
(a) The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
(b) Refer to Figure 12.6.
(c) Angle of incidence;= 90° - 50° = 40°
(d) Based on the law of reflection,
angle of reflection r = i = 40°.

Figure 12.6

What are the properties of a mirror image?

We can carry out Let's Investigate 12B to learn the characteristics of an image formed in a
plane mirror.

Let's Investigate 12B

Objective mirror
To investigate the characteristics
of an image formed in a plane mirror
Apparatus
Plane mirror, three pins,
graph paper, wooden holder,
softboard
Precautions
The pins are sharp.
Procedure
1 Set up the apparatus shown
in Figure 12.7.
2 Observe the images formed.
Figure 12.7 graph paper
3 Find the distances d, and di by
counting the number of squares between one of the pins and the mirror surface, and
between its image and the mirror surface. Compare these two distances.
4 Repeat step 3 for the two other pins and their images.
Observations
The following observations were made regarding the mirror images.
1 The image of each pin is the same size as the pin, upright and virtual.
LINK@ 2 The distances of t~e image from the plane mirror, d,, is equal to the distance of the ob·ect
form the plane mirror, di. J
Practical 12B 3 Taking the figure formed by the pins as an object, its image is laterally inverted.

182 Light
Characteristics of a plane mirror image
From Let'~ l~veS t igate l2B, we can conclude the following
characteristics of a plane mirror image:
• The image is of the same size as the object.
• The image is laterally Inverted. The left-hand side of
the image appears as the right-hand side of the object
and vice versa.
• The image is upright.
• The ima~e is virtual. It cannot be captured on a screen
~nd the ~ight rays do not meet at the image position. This
Is opposite to a real image.
• The image has the same distance from the mirror as
the object.
Note: A real image can be captured on a screen and the
light rays meet at the image position.

Worked Example 128

(a) There are seven letters in the word PHYSICS.
(i) Hold the word up in front of a plane
mirror as shown in Figure 128. Write
down how these letters appear in ?
the mirror.
(ii) How many of these letters appear
-I.
to be different when the word
Figure 12.8
is reflected?
(iii) Write down the letters that appear to be the same.
(b) The driver of car A saw car B behind him from his rear-view mirror. If the registration
number of car Bis SDE 789H, write down the number, as seen by the driver of car A in his
rear-view mirror.
Solution
(al (i) 2 ) 2 Y H q
(ii) 4 (iii) H, Y, I
(bl Hes,;; 302

Ray diagrams for plane mirrors

We cannot capture a mirror image on a screen because it is a virtual image. However, we can locate
its position by drawing ray diagrams. Figure 12.9 shows a point object O in front of a plane mirror M.
The point object O is represented by a dot. The mirror is represented by a straight line, with shading
to show its silvered back.
M

• point object 0

Figure 12.9

Light
~ Chapter 12
)

Ray diagram for a point object

Ste p 1
T Figure 12.10 shows how a ray diagram for a point object is drawn.

Step 2 Step3
Locate the position of the image I Draw the incident rays.
Draw the reflected rays.
behind the mirror.
M
M I 0
0
I
•--II--
M
r 0 a
-11----
-11---- •--11--
.....
~
.:::::- .......
( '
points of
CD incidence

distance of distance of
mirror image object in front Join the image I to the eye using 0 Join the object Oto the points of
behind mirror of mirror straight lines. incidence on the mirror surface.
Note that, for each ray, the angle
0 of incidence is equal to the angle
Measure the perpendicular distance 0 Draw dotted lines for the rays behind
of reflection.
from object Oto the mirror surface. the mirror.
CD Mark off the same distance behind C, Draw solid lines with arrowheads for rays
the mirror to locate the image I. reflected off the mirror. The arrowheads
indicate the direction that light is
travelling in.

Figure 12.10 Drawing a ray diagram for a point object

By measuring the distances IM and OM, it can be seen that the distance from the object to the
mirror and the mirror to the image are the same.

Ray diagram for an extended object

An extended object can be seen as many points. To draw the ray diagram for the extended
object (Figure 12.11), we need to select several of these points and apply the same steps in
Figure 12.10 to them.

Step 1 Step2 Step 3

Locate the position of the image I Draw the reflected rays from the
Draw the incident rays to the points
behind the mirror using the two selected points. of incidence.
extreme points.

-+;
mirror mirror
mirror
~ --+- -+-1 ~ --+-
,~ ~---
\
, image)
\ I objectO
I

\
,....._ ....._

' object 0
.image I \1~ ............
....
'
-.....

- -ii-
-.._;
'
\-,.JI:-- -
....... .......
\

'

Figure 12.11 Drawing a ray diagram for an extended object ·

Light
L By measuring the length of t~e image and the length of the object, it can be seen that
mage and the size of the obJect are the same.
.
the size of the

184
Worked Example 12(
Two point objects P and Qare placed at different positions
in front of a plane mirror, as shown in Figure 12.12.
(a) Draw a single ray to locate the position of the image of P
as seen by the eye at E.
E•
(b) The eye at E is also able to see the image of Q.
Draw a single ray to show how this is possible.
Solution
Q•
Refer to Figure 12.13.
Figure 12.12
(a) P' is the image of P. p
(b) Q' is the image of Q.

~ WORD ALERT
(bl I '-......
Q - ...;i - - -II-'::::. Q' Optical: relating to sight
or the ability to see
Figure 12.13

eye chart
Some applications of mirrors 6.Sm

Figure 1214 shows some applications of mirrors.

H
PRNJ
IOWIIQ
Vision testing ......
TL\DC

Before you can get a pair of spectacles at an optical shop, you have to go
through a vision test. You need to read letters and numbers off an eye chart
from a standard distance during the test. To allow a vision test to be carried
out in a small room, mirrors are used to make the numbers on the eye chart
appear further away.without the transfer of particles.

mirror
Periscope Blind corner mirror
A periscope comes with two Fitting curved mirrors at
plane mirrors inclined at 45°. the corners of shops allows
It helps a person look over shopkeepers to keep a lookout
obstacles such as a high for shoplifters. Such mirrors are
wall or other spectators in also used to help drivers see
a game or an event! around blind corners before
making a turn.

Instrument scale
A mirror placed below the pointer
of a scale can help us avoid parallax
error when taking readings. To
avoid parallax error, we need
to make sure that the pointer is
aligned with its mirror image.

the pointer

Figure 12.14 Applications of mirrors

Lig ht
 _____-..._7
-~ ~ -

Chapter 12

Let's Practise 12.1

1 With the help of a diagram, state the law of reflection.
2 What are the characteristics of an image formed in a plane mirror?
3 0 Figure 12.15 shows an arrow placed above a mirror.
(a) On the diagram,
(i) draw its image formed by the mirror; h .
(ii) show how light rays from the object are reflected at the mirror to form t e image
for the eye.
(b) Describe the image.
eye
arrow
~
mirror 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 I
Figure 12. 15

4 0 A person is looking at the image of an eye chart in a mirror placed 3.0 m in front of
him. Given that the actual eye chart is positioned 0.5 m behind his eyes, find the distance
LINK § between the image of the chart and his eyes.
5 Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in
Exercise 12A this section.

12.2 Refraction of Light

In this section, you will learn the following:
• Define and use the terms normal, angle ofincidence and angle of refraction.
• Describe an experiment to show refraction of light.
• Describe the passage of light from one medium to another through a transparent material.
• 0 Define refractive index, n. . .
. sin,
• 0 Recall and use the equation n =- .- .
sin r

Light can travel through transparent materials such as glass and water. This is why we can see a
UNK ~ -
pencil in a glass of water. But why does the pencil appear bent at the water surface (Figure 12.16)?
Recall the refraction of Light travels at different speeds in different transparent materials (i.e. optical media). For example, its
waves that you have speed is 3.0 x 108 mis in air and 2.0 x 108 mis in gla~s. When _light travels from air to glass, it undergoes
learnt in Chapter 11 . a change in speed at the boundary of the two optical media. The change in speed causes light to
bend (i.e. change its direction). This called refraction.

WORDALERT l j )

Media: (plural of
medium), matter,
substances Figure 12. 16 We can see
the pencil in a glass of
water because it reflects
light through the water
and glass into our eyes.
But why does the pencil
appear bent?

186 Light
---
Light travels the fastest in vacuum. It slows down in an N
optically denser medium (e.g. glass, water). Figure 12.17 shows I
refracted ray
a ray of light striking and refracting at a surface, PO. normal:
B
Below are some terms that are used to describe the
refraction of light
glass
• Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one
P----l...,1..----Q
optical medium to another. air
• Incident ray is light ray that hits the refracting surface. A
• Point of incidence is the point at which the incident ray incident ray
hits the refracting surface. Figure 1217 Refraction oflight at a surface
• Normal is the imaginary line perpendicular to the
refracting surface at the point of incidence.
• Angle of incidence i is the angle between the incident ray and the normal.
• Angle of refraction r is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal.

What is the law of refraction?

We can carry out Let's Investigate 12C to learn the law that governs the refraction of light.

Let's Investigate 12(

Objective
emergent ray --+---+--•
glass
ray box 1

To investigate the law of refraction block air

Apparatus
Translucent rectangular block. ray box and
.-normal
power supply, paper I
incident ray
Precautions
A ray box with a filament lamp may get hot ray box2
a piece of paper
Procedure
Figure 12.18
1 Place the glass block on a piece of paper.
2 Using ray box 1, shine a light ray through the glass block along the normal (Figure 1218), and
observe the path of the light ray.
3 Using ray box 2. shine a light ray through the glass block at an angle (Figure 12.18), and
observe the path of the light ray.
4 Vary the angle of incidence i and measure the corresponding angles of refraction r.
Tabulate the results as shown in
Table 121 and plot the graph of sin i sin i
against sin r as shown in Figure 1219. 1.000

Table 121 RccDfded data and 0.800 I

I
calculated values
0.600 : gradient of slope
1
I
=constant ratio
• •
0.400 of~
sin r
1.46 1 0.200

152
" " - - . - - - r - -.......-r---.---.---.-- sin r
', 50.0 31.0 0.766 0.515 1.49 0 0.100 0.200 0300 0.400 0500 0.600 0.700

J,5.0 f.U66 Figure 12.19

! . 70.D , 39.D . 0-9:'0_

Light 187 1
' - ~
 ~-

Chapter 12
Observations and results
. bl k · traight line There is no
1 For ray box 1, the light ray passes through the glass oc in a s ·
LINK @ change in its d irection.
2 For ray box 2,
Practicals 12C--0 12D • the light ray bends towards the normal as it enters the block;
• the light ray bends away from the normal as exits the block. The emergent ray is parallel
to the incident ray; . . .
0 the graph of sin i against sin r is a straight line the goes through the origin w ith a
constant gradient (Figure 12.19).
WORDALERT ~
Discussion and conclusion
Conversely: on the
1 A light ray that travels from one medium to anot her along the normal is not refracted.
other hand, in the 2 A light ray bends towards the normal when it enters an optically denser medium at an angle
opposite way (e.g. air to glass).
3 Conversely, a light ray bends away from the normal w hen it enters an optically less dense
medium at an angle (e.g. glass to air).
HELPFUL NOTES ~ 4 The incident ray, the normal and the refracted ray all lie in the same plane.
5 0 From Figure 12.19, we can deduce that t he ratio of sin ito sin r fo r a part icular medium (or
Although a light ray
gradient of its straight-line graph) gives us a constant.
travelling from one
medium to another
along the normal is The conclusion in Let's Investigate 12C is consistent with the law of refraction discovered by the
not refracted, it still
Dutch scientist, Willebrord Snell:
undergoes a change
in speed.
• For two given media. the ratio of the sine of t he angle of incidence, i, to the sine of the angle of
refraction, r is a constant.
s!n i = constant
sin r
This is also known as Snell's Law.

Refractive index and speed of light

The refractive index n is the ratio of the speeds of a w ave in two different regions.

-0
Consider light travelling through a medium. The refractive index n of a mediu m is the ratio of the
speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.
QUICK CHECK
where c = speed of light in vacuum
In Rgure 1220, medium P
v = speed of light in the med i um ◄
is optically more dense
than medium Q The higher the value of the refractive index of a medium, the slow er light travels in t he med ium.
True or false? For light travelling from vacuum to an optical medium the constant ratio sin i · I k h
refractive index n of that medium. · sin r is a so now n as t e
air n= sini where i = angle of incidence in vacuum
sinr
r = angle of refraction in t he medium
The higher the value of the refractive index of a medium, t he smaller the angle of refrac . · .
the more the light bends towards the normal). This is can be seen w hen w e c tion : (1.e_.
diamond to refraction in water (Figure 12.21). om pare refract ion 1n
I
I
emergent
ray
Figure 1220

0 0 ~

: 111

188 Light
I
 vacuum vacuum

(~ WORD ALERT

Indices: plural of index

n=l.5

Figure 12.21 The angle of refraction is smaller in diamond than in water

► Table 12.2 Refractive indices of and speed of light in some materials /~ "HELPFUL NOTES
Medium Refractive index n Speed of Ilg ht (x 109 m/s) ~
A transparent material
Diamond 2.40 , .25 ___ . ___ -______-. ·l of higher refractive
index is an optically
Glass 1.50* 2.00 denser medium.
Perspex . 2.00 . •· " ~.. ;~ However, optical density
150
' •- -•k · • • -' S ..:_:,,:___ , ~
is different from mass
Water 1.33 2.25
' .., ·~- _.. - density. For example,
\...., __
·ice 130
- - \, .... . ··- -- _2::?...-~: :·~-~~] liquid paraffin is optically
denser than water, but its
Air 1.000 293 2.999 mass density is lower.
* For glass, the refractive index varies between 1.48 and 1.96, depending on the composition of the glass.

From Table 122, we can see that the speed of light in air is very close to that in vacuum. Hence, for
most practical purposes, we can find the approximate value of the refractive index even though we
use the speed of light in air instead of vacuum.
speed of light in vacuum speed of light in air
n = speed of light in medium speed of light in medium

Worked Example 12D

Given that the speed of light in vacuum is 3.0 x 108 mis, calculate the speed of light in crown
glass of refractive index 152.
Solution
Given: Speed of light in vacuum c = 3.0 x 108 mis
Refractive index of crown glass n = 1.52
Using n = f w here v = speed of light in crown glass,
V
C
v=-
n
3.0 x 108 mls
=
1.52
= 1.97 x 103 mis I • , "
_, \_, _,~ - - •\ , • .....J....,. I \ \ ~ l,...•of. , ,
◄

Light 189
. ,_ '
 Chapter 12

Worked Example 12E

HELPFUL Nam -~ R
Figure 1222 shows a ray of light passing through a rectangular
A light ray will travel glass block of refractive index 15.
along the same path if If the ray strikes the surface PO at an angle of incidence i of 60°,
its direction of travel is calculate the
reversed (Figure 1223).
This is the principle (a) angle of refraction rat the air-to-g lass boundary (PO);
of reversibility and it (b) angle of incidence x in the glass block; air
applies to the reflection
(c) angle of refraction y at the glass-to-air boundary (RS).
and refraction oflight
Q
Solution
Figure 12.22
Given: Refractive index of the glass n = 15
(a) At the air-to-glass boundary (PO):
sin i
n =-.- (Snell's law)
sin r
sin r= sin i = sin 60°
n 15
r=353°
(b) Since x and rare alternate angles, x = r = 353°
(a) When light shines
from top to bottom (c) At the glass-to-air boundary (RS):
In this case, we cannot write n = s'.n x as the angle of incidence xis not in air. However, since
s1ny
a light ray travels along the same path if its direction is reversed, we can solve for angle of
refraction y by reversing the direction of the light ray.

n = s'.n x (Snell's law)

siny
siny= n sin x= 15 sin 353°
y=60°

(b) When the direction of

light is reversed, the
angles it makes with Worked Example 12F
the normal are the
same as in (a). Figure 1224 shows a ray of light being partially reflected
Figure 12.23 and refracted at the surface of a glass block of refractive
index 1.6. glass

Determine the value of

(a) x; (b) y.

Solution
Given: Angle of incidence= 30°
Refractive index of glass block= 1.6
Angle of reflection = x Figure 12.24
Angle of refraction = y
(a) By the law of reflection, angle of incidence i = angle of reflection r
: .x=30°
(b) Using Snell's law,
sin i
n=--
sin r
1_6 = si~ 30°
siny
y= 182°

Light
Daily phenomena and applications of refraction
'Bent' objects rod
·Iii) HELPFUL NOTES
light rays as seen
Objects in water or other optically denser by the eye The refractive index n of a
media appear bent because of refraction. 1
medium is also given by
In Figure 12.25, we can see the rod because the ratio of the real depth
it reflects light to our eyes. It appears to be of an object in a medium
bent because the reflected light from the to its apparent depth in
immersed part of the rod refracts when it the same medium.
travels from water to air. , i.e. n real depth
apparent depth
1-+'---.----t-- actual paths of
light rays

Figure 12.25 A partially immersed rod appears bent because_light

bends away from the normal when it travels from water to a,r.

Misperception of depth
If t
\5J 1NFO
ENRICHMENT

The Archer's Fish Secret

Swimming pools appear shallower than they actually are because of refraction (Figure 1226).
The archer fish uses a
unique way to catch
its prey. It shoots a jet
of water with pinpoint
light rays as seen accuracy, knocking its
by the eye prey off a branch or a
leaf. How is it able to
hit its target with such
high accuracy despite
the visual distortion
caused by refraction?
Biologists are still trying
actual paths of to establish an answer
light rays to this question. If
you were an archer
Figure 12.26 A swimming pool is deeper than it seems.
fish, how would you
overcome distorted
vision due to refraction
so that you could
Worked Example 12G always hit your target?

Figure 1227 shows a thin rod partially immersed in a beaker

of water. Given that the refractive index of water is 133,
determine the value of
(a) 0; (b) x.
Solution
(a) We can solve for 0 by reversing the direction 10.0 cm
of the light ray.

n = sin 8 (Snell's law)

sin 30° Figure 12.27
133 = si n 0
sin 30°
e= 41.r
(b) Since angle AOB and the angle of :. tan 30°=-x-
l0cm
incidence are alternate angles, Figure 12.28 An archer
x= 5.77cm fish spitting a jet of
angle AOB is 30°. water at its prey resting
on a leaf

Light
 Let's Practise 12.2
. fr ht when it travels from air
Draw a clearly labelled diagram to show the refraction o ig
to water.
· gle of incidence and angle of
2 0 A light ray travels from air into a glass block. How are its an
refraction related to give a constant? What is this constant called?
. . . h t ansparent material without
3 At what angle of incidence will light pass from air to anot er r
being refracted?
4 ·
Draw a diagram to show how a coin · at the bottom of a buc ket of water appears to a viewer.
5 Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in
Exercise 12B
this section.

12.3 Total internal Reflection

In this section, you will learn the following:
• State the meaning of critical angle.
• Describe internal reflection and total internal reflection using both experimental and
everyday examples.
• 0 Recall and use the equatio~ n = -.-1-.
Sin C
• 0 Describe the use of optical fibres; partiCtJlarly in telecommunications.

Figure 1229 shows the reflection of a turtle under water. This

reflection is at the water-air boundary and occurs due to the total
internal reflection of light.
Total internal reflection can only occur when light passes from
an optically denser to a less dense medium. To understand this
unique behaviour of light, we need to first understand what critical
angle is.

What is a critical angle? How can

we find it for a material? Figure 12.29 The reflection of the
turtle can be clearly seen underwater
at the water-air boundary.
We can carry out Let's Investigate 12D to demonstrate critical angle.

Let's Investigate 12D

Objective I
To investigate the critical angle in total 1 normal
midpoint 1
internal reflection ~I

Apparatus 0
Transparent semi-circular block, ray box and power
supply, paper
semi-circular
Precautions
LINK@ A ray box with a filament lamp may get very hot.
glass block

ray box
Practical 12E
Figure 12.30

Light
 (Iii>
Procedure
1 Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 1230. HELPFULNOTES
2 Direct a light ray through the semi-circular
block at the midpoint o such that it is
perpendicular to the flat surface of the glass
I
!
In Investigation 12D, a
semi-circular glass block
is used, and the light ray
block. Observe the path of the light. midpoint ~
is always directed towards
3 Direct the light ray at an angle; at o. 0 the midpoint O of the
Va ry angle i and observe the corresponding diameter of the block.
change in the path of the light ray. Recall that a tangent to a
semi-circular
Observation, discussion and conclusion circle is perpendicular to
glass block
the radius at the point of
1 When the light ray was directed through the contact {Figure 12.34).
midpoint Osuch that it was perpendicular ray box
to the flat surface of the block, the light ray
pa ssed straight through, without any deviation Figure 12.31
(Figure 1231).
2 When the light ray was directed at a point O midpoint
refracted away
of circle
at an angle i, it refracted away from the normal from the normal
upon emerging from the glass (Figure 12.32).
This is because it was travelling from an
optically denser medium (e.g. glass) to an
optically less dense medium (e.g. air). A small
Figure 12_.34
amount of light is reflected off the flat surface
of the glass block. semi-circular Therefore, a light ray
1
3 As the incident angle is increased, glass block directed towards the
the refracted ray bends further away from midpoint O will always
the normal until the angle of refraction r enter the curved surface
Figure 12.32
becomes 90° (Rgure 1233).When the angle of the glass block at an
angle of incidence of 0°
of refraction is 90°, the corresponding refracted
{i.e. it passes through the
angle of incidence is known as the ray
l surface without bending).
critical angle c. This makes the study of
The critical angle c is defined as the critical angle at the flat
an gle of incidence (in an optically denser surface of the glass block
m edium) for which the angle of refraction ray more convenient.
(i n the optically less dense medium) is 90°.
Figure 12.33

Critical angle and total internal reflection

\Vhen the angle of incidence in the glass block is larger than the critical angle c, the light ray reflects
off the fl at surface of the glass block. There is no refraction at the flat surface (i.e. glass-air boundary)
(Fig ure 1235). Th is phenomenon is known as rota/ internal reflection. This explains why we can see the
re fl ec tion of the turtle underwater in Figure 1229 on page 192.
Total internal reflection is the complete reflection of a light ray inside an optically denser medium
If t
at it s boundary with an optically less dense medium.
ENRICHMENT*
No light passes through if the incident \!fl THINK
: / angle i is more than the critical angle c. A radio receiver does
0 not have direct line
of sight from a radio
transmitter hundreds
reflected ray of kilometres away.
Explain how the
receiver can still receive
the signals.
Figure 12JS

Light 193 . . s
 In summary, two conditions that must be satisfied in order for a light ray to undergo total internal
reflection are:
PHYSICS WATCH ~ 1 The light ray in an optically denser medium strikes its boundary with an optically less
dense medium.
Scan this page to watch a
2 The angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle of the optically denser medium.
dip of an experiment on
total internal reflection.
Determining critical angle
Given the refractive index n of a transparent material, we can find its critical angle c. Consider a light
ray travelling from air into a semi-circular glass block before exiting into air at O (Figure 1236).

refracted

CIC ''
weak'""- angle of incidence i =critical angle c
reflected'' angle of refraction r = 90°
ray

Figure 12.36
With reference to page 188, when the light is travelling from vacuum to the medium, the refractive
index of the medium is given by the ratio sin (angle of incidence) . However in Figure 1236 the
. sin (angle of refraction) ' '
light is travelling from glass to air. We can visualise the same path of light in Figure 1236 but with the
directions reversed (refer to Figure 12B on page 190). This will give the following:
n = sin 90° = _1_
sin c sin c
. n=-1-
.· sine

Worked Example 12H

Figure 1237 shows a light ray entering a right-angled glass C
prism of refractive index 1.5.
(a) Calculate the critical angle of the prism.
(b) Complete the path of the light ray until it emerges into
· the air.
Solution
(a) Given: Refractive index n = 1.5
1 . 1 1
From n = - . -, sin c=-=-
s1nc n 15
C= 41 .8°
Figure 12.37
(b) Since the ray enters the prism at a right angle, it does not
bend and hits surface AB at 45° (i.e. angle of incidence,).
C
Since the angle of incidence (45°) is greater than the
critical angle of 41.8°, total internal reflection occurs.
Similarly, total internal reflection also occurs at surface AC.
The light ray exits at a right angle to surface BC.

Figure 12.38

Light
What are the applications of total internal reflection?
Glass prisms
Glass prisms (Figure 1239) are used to reflect light in some optical
instruments such as b inoculars and periscopes. They reflect light by
total internal reflection.
Figure 12.39 Glass prism

right-angled prism

object

It __________________________ _
virtual upright image

Binoculars Periscopes
Using prisms to reflect light can Prisms can be used in place of
reduce the size of binoculars. plane mirrors to give clearer
Prisms also rectify the inverted - - - - - -- -1 images. They reflect light to
image, produced by the lenses in allow us to see an upright
binoculars, to an upright image. image.

Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras

viewfinder pentaprism Prisms in SLR cameras allow
photographers to see the exact image

translucent screen
to be captured. A five-sided prism
(pentaprism) helps to make this feature
possible in an SLR camera.
'0 QUICK CHECK

The diagram of the

light binoculars in Figure 12.40
shows total internal
light path reflection occurring twice.
shuner mirror True or fa lse?
lens compartment

Figure 12.40 Use of rota/ internal reflection in glassprisms

•
Light 19s I
 Optical fibres
The transmission of data using optical fibres is an important application of total internal r:fl:ction.
Optical fibres are long, thin and flexible. They are made of glass or plastic and can transmit light over
long distances through total internal reflection (Figure 12.41).

total Internal reflection coating (low refractive index)

~\-- ✓~ core (high refractive index)

Figure 12.41 An optical fibre has a core of a high refractiv~ incjex.

fhe core is coated with another material of a lower refractive index.
Even when the fibre is bent, light rays entering it will still be internally reflected at the boundary
between the two refractive materials. These flexible fibres have innovative uses in many indu_stries
such as telecommunications and medicine (Figure 12.42).

Telecommunications industry Medical industry

Today, telephone conversations and The high flexibility of optical

Internet data are transmitted across fibres makes them ideal for
continents using optical fibres, and medical applications such
not copper wires. Advantages of as endoscopes. Doctors use
optical fibres over copper wires in endoscopes to see inside
telecommunications are as follows: hollow organs, such as
• Higher carrying capacity: An the intestines.
optical fibre can carry much
more information over long
distances than a copper wire.
Less signal degradation: A signal
transmitted via optical fibres
experiences much less signal loss
as compared to copper wires.
• Lightweight: Optical fibres are
lighter than copper wires.
• Lower cost: Optical fibres
are becoming cheaper to
manufacture as compared
to copper wires of
equivalent lengths.

Figure 12.42 Use of total internal reflection in optical fibres

Light j
 Let's Practise 12.3
~ LINK
1 Explain what is m eant by term critical angle.
2 Draw a clearly labelled diagram to show total internal reflection. Exercise 12(
3 0 The refractive index of a glass prism is 1.9. Calculate its critical angle.
4 State two applications of total internal reflection .
5 Mind M ap Construct your ow n mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in
this secti on.

In this section, you will learn the following:

, • Describe the acti on of thin converging and thin diverging lenses on a parallel beam of light.
• Define and use the terms foca l length, prindpol axis and principal focus (focal point).

A lens is a piece of dear plastic or glass with curved surfaces. Lenses are widely used in cameras,
spectacles, projectors and many other optical instruments.

:~ WORD ALERT
Figure 1243 Camera 11/ith interchangeable lenses Figure 1244 How are spectacles for long-sightedness
different from those for short-sightedness? Converge: heading
towards a point

What determines the path of light through a lens? Diverge: spread out

A typical lens can be thought of as a set of small prisms (Figures 1245). As the surface of a lens is
cu rved, parallel light rays hitting different parts of its surface have different incident angles. Converging lenses
This eauses the individual rays to refract by different angles. The angle of refraction is the largest
at the out ermost part of the lens, while no refraction occurs in the middle. As a result, depending
on the curvature of the lens, light rays either converge or diverge after passing through the lens
(Figure 12.44). convex lens

===--.~..=-=-=--
~ . light rays

I....,/ ~ conve,~ , Diverging lenses

4 Path of light through a

converging lens
A Path of light through
a diverging lens
Figure 1245 A rypic.al lens can be thought of as a ser of small prisms.
concave lens

IT ] )
A converging lens causes light rays to converge to a point. It is thicker in the centre. Figure 12.46 Different
types of converging and
Adiverging lens causes light rays to diverge from a point. It is thinner in the centre. diverging lenses

Light 197 ;
I
, . I
 Thin converging lens
We will learn what focal length is and other terms that are used to describe a thin converging lens
(Figure 12.47).

focal
parallel ~ length f Focal length f
is the distance
- *ENRICHMENT nf'. The principal axis is the
rays focal
plane
between the
AffiVITY \ S I horizontal line passing optical centre
In this activity, you will through the optical C and the focal
use the rays of the Sun centre of the lens. It is principal point F.
to find the focal length perpendicular to the axis
of a magnifying glass. vertical plane of the lens.
focal point
Precaution
(or principal focus)
Be careful! The bright
spot may cause the The optical centre C is the The focal plane
paper (or anything midpoint between the is the plane that
else) to bum. surfaces of the lens on its passes through the
1 Hold a magnifying principal axis. Rays passing The principal focus (or focal focal point F and
glass above a piece through the optical centre point) is the point at which all perpendicular to
of paper under are not refracted. rays parallel to the principal axis the principal axis.
the Sun. converge after refraction by the
2 Adjust the distance lens. A lens has two focal points,
between the lens one on each side of the lens.
and the paperuntil
you can observe a
small bright spot Figure 12.47 Parallel beam of rays parallel to the principal axis
This distance is its
focal length When the parallel beam of rays incident
on a thin converging lens is not parallel to focal
: _ At its focal length,
the principal axis, the rays are refracted to plane
; a magnifying glass
a point (not the focal point F) on the focal _.__ _ I _
focuses the Sun's rays _
onto one small spot plane (Figure 12.48).
on its focal plane
(Figure 1249).
F.

Figure 12.48 Parallel beam of rays not parallel to the principal axis

Figure 1249 Let's Practise 12.4

Can you think of
1 With the help of a diagram, describe how a converging lens is
other ways to find
different from a diverging lens in terms of their structure and
the focal length of a
magnifying glass? their effect on light.
2 Figure 1250 shows a diagram of light rays passing through a
thin converging lens. Explain whether the diagram is correct?
3 With the help of a diagram, define the focal length of a thin
converging lens.
LINK ~ Figure 12.50
4 Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts
that you have learnt in this section.
Exercise 12D

Light
 In this section, you will learn the'following:
• Describe the characteristics of an image.
• Know how a virtual image is formed.
• Draw and use ray diagrams to show how a real image is formed.
• 0 Draw and use ray diagrams to show how a virtual image is formed.
• 0 Describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass.
• 0 Describe the use of converging and diverging lenses to correct long-stghtedness and
short-sightedness.

Fmm Section 12.4, we know that

• any light ray passing through the optical centre C of a lens is not refracted;
• any light ray parallel to the principal axis of a lens will converge at the focal point F (Figure 12.51 ).

focal
parallel l+-tengthf
rays
focal
plane

principal
axis parallel, pass tru F,
pass tru F, parallel.
focal point O, pergi balik
(or principal focus)

Figure 12.51

With this, we can identify three particular light rays that behave in a predictable way whenever they
pass through any thin converging lens (Table 123).

Table 12.3 Behaviour of chree parcicular light rays when passing rhrough a chin converging lens

Ray 1 passes through Ray 2 parallel to Ray 3 passing through

optical centre C prlnclpal axis focal point F

___ ,_.__ F
F --•----

,An tnddent ray through the optical centre •t An Incident ray parallel to the principal · An Incident ray passing through the
C puses without bending. axis Is refracted to pass through F. ;; focal point F ls refracted parallel to the
'· prl_nclpal axis.
---------'---'-~---
Where is the image made by a thin converging lens?
The image of a lens is determined by the relative positions of the focal point and the object distance.
Us.ing any two of the three rays mentioned in Table 123, we can draw a ray diagram to locate the
position of an image produced by a thin converging lens.
real vs virtual,
upright vs inverted
magnified vs diminised vs same size
Light
 ◄

Object distance longer than the focal length (i.e. f < u < 2f)
. f th biect is longer than the
Figure 1252 shows how a real image is formed when the distance o e O )
focal length.

Step 1: Set up the ray diagram

0 Draw a horizontal line to represent the principal axis.
C, Draw a double-headed arrow perpendicular to the horizontal
line to represent the converging lens.
The intersection point of the principal axis in (i) and the lens in
(ii) is the optical centre of the converging lens. Label the point C. 2F

Label the focal point F of the lens on the principal axis.

The distance CF is the focal length f of the lens.

0
C,
'
Step 2: Place the object on the left of the lens

Draw a vertical arrow on the left of the lens to represent an

object. Label the object 0.
Label the distance OC u. Note that f < u < 2f.
C
F

t
Step 3: Trace the rays and locate the image
0 Select and draw any two of the three rays, e.g. ray 1 and ray 2, 0
from the tip of the object.
C, The intersection point of the two rays represents the real image
of the tip of the object. Complete the real image by drawing an
arrow and labelling it I.
Figure 12.52 Formation of a real image (f < u < 2f)

Object distance shorter than the focal length (i.e. u < f)

Place the same object at a distance less than the focal length and draw the ray diagram (Figure 12.53).
We can see that the light rays diverge and the intersection point of ray 1and ray 2 can be found only
if the rays are extended backwards.
When the diverging rays enter our eyes, they appear to come from a point on the same side as
the object. The point represents the virtual image of the tip of the object and the broken arrow
represents the virtual image of the object.

image
+'~
I -::::,,
I -:::-,
I '-'-
'-.'
' '
object

Figure 12.53 Formation of a virtual image (u <2{)

Light
T11e distance of an object from a thin converging lens determines the type of image that is formed.
Table 12.4 shows the types of images formed when an object is placed at different distances from
the lens.

Table 124 Types of im ages form ed by a th in converging lens with different range of values of u

- .

parallel
rays from
a distant
object
Ray diagram

-- • inverted
• real
• diminished
v=f
.

• opposite
side of
.
... · Uses

• object lens of
a telescope

the lens

u>2f • inverted f < V < 2( • camera

• real • opposite • eye

side of
• diminished
the lens

u=2/ • inverted v=2f • photocopier

object t • real
• same size
• opposite
side of
making
same-sized copy
2F: the lens

...... ~-. -
_ - -.
f<u<2f • inverted V> 2( • projector

object • real • opposite • photograph

• magnified side of enlarger
2F the lens

.... -
I u=f • upright
imageat ~ • image • eyepiece lens of
·1
infinity

- -
- - __

- .._
-.."""""--ll'----a,-+.:,._
• virtual
• magnified
at infinity
• same side
of the lens
a telescope

~ ~ ........ ·- ~ ' .' . : -· ·- -- ·-. . ..

u<f
• upright • Image is • magnifying glass
• virtual behind
the object
• magnified
• same side
of the lens

Light 201 :
I
I
 7
From Table 124, we can ·see that

PHYSICS WATCH @

Scan this page to explore

t • when u > f. the image formed is real, inverted and on the opposite side of the lens as the object;
when u < I, the image formed is virtual, upright and on the same side of the lens as the object.

a simulation on formation
of images by lenses.
Worked Example 121
An object 2 cm high is placed 75 cm from a thin converging lens. The focal length of the lens is
5cm.
(a) Find, by scale drawing, the position of the image formed.
(b) State the characteristics of the image.
Solution
(a) Horizontal scale: 1unit square represents 1cm
Vertical scale: 1unit square represents 1cm

lens

I
I
O' I ray2
II
- r--l-_ I ra~ 1

2F 0 f
I -:--,--i_
I
II!-Ir--....
I
;-....

fl'- 1 2F I
II

~I--!-- I
r----... ;-.... I
r-
r---C:i----,_
r--: F::::::: ,,,___
I I r
Figure 12.54

LINK ~
From Figure 1254, the image distance is 15 cm from the lens.
Practical 12f (b) The image formed is real, inverted and magnified. It is on the opposite side of the lens.

What'can lenses be
used for?
Magnifying glass
A magnifying glass is a thin converging
lens. It is used to make objects look
bigger (Figure 1255). In order to get a
magnified image, the lens should be
positioned at a distance less than a focal
length (from the object (i.e. u < ().

Figure 12.55 In comparison to the rest of the

text boot cover, the letters under the magnifying
glass are magnified.

Light
Visual correction for long-sightedness
People who are long-sighted are unable to see objects close to their eyes clearly. The lenses in their
eyes are unable to focus a clear image of a close object on the retina (Figure 1256).

--===1
//"" light r~ys not focused
~ on retina
Figure 12.56 Long-sightedness - the eye lens is unable to focus the light rays onto the retina

Spectacles with converging lenses can be used to partially converge the light rays before they enter
the eyes (Rgure 1257). This way, the Hght rays coming from the object can be focused on the retina to
produce a sharp image.

Figure 1257 Correcting long-sightedness using a converging lens

Visual correction for short-sightedness

A person is short-sighted when his or her eyeball is longer than normal along the horizontal axis
r@ PHYSICS WATCH

from the lens to the retina. The eye can still focus on near objects. However, parallel light rays from Scan this page to explore
distant objects are focused in front of the retina, forming a blurred image (Figure 1258). a simulation on short-
Short-sightedness can be corrected by wearing spectacles with concave lenses. The concave lenses sightedness and long-
diverge the rays from distant objects before they reach the eye. The diverged rays can then be sightedness.
focused onto the retina and this will enable the person to see distant objects clearly (Figure 1259).

focus (corrected)

rays from distant rays from

object distant object

image fonned in focus lies in front of

front of retina retina (uncorrected)

Rgur~ 12.SB Short-sigtrredness - image forms in front of Figure 12.59 Correcting short-sightedness with a concave lens
rhe mina

" • - I

Light 203 .
 Worked Example 12J L
Figure 12.60 shows a small object of height
1.0 cm placed 1.4 cm away from a thin
converging lens L of focal length 1.9 cm.
By drawing a suitable ray diagram, F
(al find the position and height of the image;
(bl describe the characteristics of the
image formed. Figure 12.60
Solution
Given: Size of object 00' = 1.0 cm, object distance u = 1.4 cm, focal length f = 1.9 cm
(al By scale drawing, the image distance vis 5.8 cm and the height of image I' is 3.9 cm.
(bl The image formed is upright, magnified, virtual and on the same side of the lens as
the object.

...........
L

Figure 12.61

Let's Practise 12.5

Describe how far an object should be placed from a thin converging lens to produce
(al a magnified real image;
(bl 0 a magnified virtual image.
LINK ~
2 0 State two applications of converging lenses.
I 3 Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in
Exercise 12E this section.

Light
 12~6 Dispersion of Ligh,t . .·- ' ,:. ~ ~ - - ... t_.,. ~ • •
.· ; ' - ::
...

In this section, you will learn the following:

• Describe the dispersion of light as illustrated by the refraction of white light by a glass prism.
• Know the traditional seven colours of the visible spectrum in order of frequency and in order
of wavelength.
• 0 Recall that visible light of a single frequency is described as monochromatic.

We have seen in this chapter that light can be refracted when it travels from one medium to another. ----..,
?ii) HE'i.PFUL NOTES
/

So far. we have assumed that all wavelengths of light travel at the same speed. This is true in the
vacuum of space, yet it is merely an approximation in all other media.
Isaac Newton performed a famous experiment where he placed a glass prism in the path of a thin
! To help you remember
beam of white light from the Sun (Figure 12.62).
l the seven colours of
I the visible spectrum,
( remember this acronym:
I ROYGBIV
white light
dispersed light showing
the spectrum of colours 0 QUICKCHECK

Red light has the longest

wavelength in the
visible spectrum.
single slit
True or false?
frame
glass prism

increasing
frequency
- - - - - -~ increasing
wavelength
Figure 1262 Newron's dispersion experiment ro show the spectrum of visible light

The different colours that Newton observed is called a spectrum. The spectrum is shown in Figure
12_62 from red to violet in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. Red light has the r@·LiNK-
lowest frequency and violet light has the highest.
' The spectrum of
It arises because the refractive index for each of the colours in the spectrum have a slightly different visible light is part of
refra ctive index. The refractive index for red light is the lowest of all the visible colours, whereas violet the electromagnetic
light has the highest of the visible colours. This change in refractive index across the spectrum is spectrum. Find out more ~
known as dispersion. in Chapter 13.

t
Although there are traditionally sev:n colour~ in th: visible s~ectrum, there are an infinite number of
different frequenc ies between red light and violet light. Any single frequency of light is described as
monochromatic.

Let's Practise 12.6

1 St ate the order of colours of the visible spectrum, starting with the shortest wavelength.
:-~ -LINK - -- .
2 Explain which of the colours of the visible spectrum travels fastest in glass.
i
3 Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in I Exercises, 12F-12G
this section. ( Exercise 12H Let's Reflect

Ligh t 205
------

Chapter 12

Let's Map It

produces
~lspersion Seven colours of
the visible spectrum

L______ is governed b y - - - -• 1
0 Law of refraction (Snell's law)
of which image sin; = constant
position can be sin r
located by
defines
. . • I
, Ray di.agra~s
0 Refractive index
n sin (angle of incidence in vacuum)
sin (angle of refraction in medium)
(speed of light in vacuum)
described (speed of light in medium)
by terms
is governed by such as
i
Law of reflection • Incident ray explains
Angle of incidence i
=angle of reflection r
• Reflected/
refracted ray l
• Point of incidence
bya plane • Normal
described by
mirror • Angle of incidence terms such as
• Angle of reflection/
occurs when
refraction
l . • focal length
• principal axis
• Light travels
• optical centre
Image formed from an optically
denser medium • focal point
• is the same size as
the object to an optically less • focal plane
dense medium.
• is laterally inverted
• Angle of incidence
• is upright in the optically
• is virtual denser medium is
• has the same greater than the
distance from the critical angle c.
1
0 n=- -
slnc

• magnifying
glass
• spectacle
lenses

Light
P?

Let's Review
Section A: Mu ltiple-choice Questions s A light ray in air is incident at an angle on one side of a
rectangular glass block (Figure 12.65).
1 Which characteristics best describe an image formed in
a plane mirror?

□
A Diminished and virtual
B Same size and virtual
C Same size and real
D Magnified and virtual
2 Which statement about the size of an image formed in Figure 12.65
a plane mirror image is false?
A The image can be taller than the mirror. Which ray diagram correctly describes the complete
B The image height depends on the object distance. path of the light ray?
C The image height depends on the object height. A
D The width of the image is the same as that of
the object.
3 0 A girl stands at point Pas shown in Figure 12.63.
A wall separates her from four other persons standing
at points W. X. Y and Z. It blocks her direct line of sight
to them. If a mirror is placed as shown in the diagram, D
how many persons can she see reflected in the mirror?

mirror

p
I ■ wI I
X
I
y
I
z
\ wall 6 Which diagram correctly describes the critical angle c
for an air-water surface?
Figure 12.63 A I B I

4
A 1
C 3
B 2
D 4
0 Figure 1264 shows the complete path of a light ray
~
water
~
water

travelling from air to a liquid.

C D

air
liquid

Figure 1264 7 The fish in a pond appears to be

A deeper in the water than it really is because light
The refractive index of the liquid is given by refiected from the fish will refract towards the normal.
sin 60° sin 30° B deeper in the water than it really is because light
A B
sin 50° sin 50° refiected from the fish will refract away from the normal.
sin 60° sin 40° C nearer to the surface than it really is because light
C D
sin40° sinS0° refiected from the fish will refract towards the normal.
D nearer to the surface than it really is because light
refiected from the fish will refract away from the normal.

Light 207 '

Chapter 12

Let's Review
8 The critical angle for an air-glass interface is 42°. Which distance is the focal length of the lens?
Whi~h diagram shows the incorrect path of a light ray A X B Y
passing through a glass prism? CZ D X+Y
45° 12 An object is placed in front of a converging lens of focal
length f, as shown in Figure 12.68.
A~s• B At which position will the image be formed?

45° object
'
,~
lens

C 45° C A B D
D
- ~

f f f f f
\ J

Figure 12.68

13 0 The image formed by a slide projector on the

screen is
9 A thin converging lens is used to focus the rays from
A real, inverted and diminished.
the Sun onto a piece of paper. When the rays burn a
B real, inverted and magnified.
hole in the paper, the distance between the lens and
the paper is _ _ _ _ _ the focal length of the lens. C virtual, upright and diminished.
A less than half B equal to half D virtual, upright and magnified.
C equal to D equal to twice 14 Which of the following is the correct term for the
10 Figure 1266 shows the position of an object relative to splitting up of light when it passes through a medium?
a lens. In which position would the viewer be unable to A Diffraction B Dispersion
see the image? C Interference D Reflection
15 0 Which of the following is the correct term for light of
lens
a single colour?
A Achromatic B Dichromatic
C Monochromatic D Polychromatic

image object Section B: Short-answe r and Structure d

Questions
1 (a) Figure 12.69 shows a large letter F placed in front of
a plane mirror with two incident rays.
Figure 12.66

11 A person attempts to measure the focal length of a

lens, as shown in Figure 12.67.
,::.,,1
mirror lens
l !-image
,, ,,
,,

nail Figure 12.69

X y z
Figure 12.67

208 Light
- ~-- -- --- -
 ·(i) Using the law of reflection, locate the position 4 0
and draw the im age of F. [5]
(a) Given that the refractive index of water is 133, find
[ii) Stote th e characteristics of the image of F. [5] the angle of refraction of a light ray at the water-air
(b) Figurel l i~ sh \VS a per5on looking at the image o f boundary in Figure 1272. [3]
a test ecrd in a plane mirror. Find the distance from
his eyes tu the image of the card. [2] air

testcard
plane mirror

eye

4 light source
400cm 1300cm
Figure 12.72
Fi9ure1270
(b) Calculate the critical angle of water. Then draw,
2 (a) W'n at is refractio n? [1J in Figure 12.72, the refracted ray and the reflected ray
(b) 0 Rgure i271 shmvs the path of a light ray from air when the critical angle is reached. [6]
t ro gh a glass b lock and i nto air again. 5 0
(a) Figure 12.73 shows a light ray incident on a right-
angled prism of refractive index 15. Using Snell's
glass block law, calculate the angle of refraction of the ray
within the prism. [3)

Figure 1271
(i) Deiermine t he refracti ve index of the glass. [3]
(ii) Sraw the angles x and y. [2]
3 0 The refrac · ,e indices of some transparent materials
ares ·.n i Table 125. Figure 7273

(b) Determine whether this ray within the prism will

M«tium j Rdractfve index n undergo total internal reflection when it hits the
Ojamond 2.4 face AB of the prism. [6)

'Perspel( 1.5 6 A converging lens is used to project a 250 mm image

1.33 of a square slide onto a screen 1000 mm away. The
Water
1.000293 focal length of the lens is 200 mm. By means of a scale
Alr
drawing, determine
(a) Fo r he same angle of incidence. (a) the distance of the slide from the lens; [6)
(i) '<hich medium will c;wse light to bend (b) the size of the slide. [3]
rhe most? fl]
(ii) ,vhj h medium w ill cause li ght to bend the
leasl? fl)
(b) (i) & p lain your choice in (a)(i). [2]
,(ii) Ex.plain your choice in (a)(ii) . f2)

Light 209
- - - -- ~- - - -- ..
:~efs Review
7 0 Figure 12.74 shows a lady of height 1.5 m looking into 9 Figure 12.75 shows the behaviour of a light ray passing
a vertical plane mirror GH. Her eyes are 10 cm below the through an optical fibre from one end A to the other
top of her head. end B.

H Figure 12.75
Figure 12.74
(a) (i) Explain why the light ray changes direction
(a) By drawing a ray diagram, determine at Q. [2]
(i) the minimum length of the mirror that allows (ii) Explain why the light ray undergoes total
the lady to see a full-length image of herself; [SJ internal reflection at Rand S. [2]
(ii) the height of the bottom of this mirror above (b) 0 If the refractive index of the glass that is used to
the floor. [1] make the optical fibre is 1.5, calculate the angle of
(b) Suppose that the mirror is moved away from the refraction at Q. [3]
person at a speed ofl mis. Determine the speed (c) On Figure 12.75, draw the path of the light ray after
at which the image appears to move and state the refraction at T. [1]
direction of its movement. [3] (d) 0 State two advantages of using optical fibres
8 0 A bus driver has placed the centre of a instead of copper wires in telecommunications. [2)
20 cm-wide plane mirror SO cm in front of him. The rear 10 Explain, with the aid of a diagram, how a rainbow is
of the bus is 500 cm directly behind the plane mirror. formed in the sky. [4]
How w ide is the driver's rear field of vision whenever he
looks into the mirror while driving? [SJ

Light