Reflection of light: past paper questions
Real questions on reflection of light
The newest 20 of 41 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(i)[1]
(a) (i) Angle ABD is 60°. Determine the angle of incidence for the ray of red light at B. angle incidence .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(i)[1]
State the name of the dashed line AB in Figure 7.1.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(ii)[1]
(ii) On Figure 7.1, indicate the angle of incidence by writing an X. [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(iii)[1]
(iii) State the law of reflection. doce .......... .......... .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(iv)[2]
(iv) Achild places a toy in front of a plane mirror. State three characteristics of the image formed by the plane mirror. .......... .......... .......... Boece .......... ..........
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(i)[1]
State the name of the line labelled XY.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[1]
On Fig. 3.1, draw a normal NL to the side AB of the transparent block at a distance 2.0 cm from A. Continue the normal so that it passes through side CD of the block.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[1]
• Draw a line RS at an angle i = 30° to the normal, above AB and to the left of the normal. • The student places two pins P 1 and P 2 on line RS. Mark, with two crosses (X), on line
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[2]
The student looks from the position of the eye shown in Fig. 3.1, to observe the images of P 1 and P 2 through side CD of the block. He adjusts his line of sight until the images of P 1 and P 2 appear exactly one behind the other. He places two pins P 3 and P 4 between side CD of the block and his eye so that P 3 , P 4...
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3e[1]
The student plans to investigate the relationship between angle i and angle θ. The student takes more sets of readings to test the relationship. List suitable values of angle i that the student can use.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
1-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[1]
• • • Draw a normal to the line MR that passes through the centre of MR. Label the normal NL. Label the point at which NL crosses MR with the letter B. Draw a line 10.0 cm long from B at an angle of incidence i = 40° to the normal below MR and to the left of the normal. Label the end of this line A.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[1]
The student places the reflecting face of the mirror vertically on the line MR. He places two pins, P 1 and P 2 , on line AB. Mark the positions of P 1 and P 2 with crosses (X) on line AB at a suitable distance apart for this type of ray-trace experiment. Label the positions of P 1 and P 2 .
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(i)[1]
Draw a line through the positions of P 3 and P 4 . Continue the line until it meets MR.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(ii)[1]
Measure the acute angle α between this line and the horizontal line MR. An acute angle is an angle less than 90°. α = °
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3d[1]
The student turns the mirror through 180°. He draws a new incident ray at an angle of incidence i = 50° to the normal above MR and to the left of the normal. He labels the end of this line C. This line is not shown on Fig. 3.1. You may draw the line on Fig. 3.1. He places two pins on the line CB and views the images of...
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3e[1]
Suggest a relationship between α and β. Justify your answer by reference to the results. relationship justification
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2025 · Q3f[2]
State two techniques that you use in this type of experiment to obtain an accurate ray trace.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q6a[1]
The students hear a loud sound from the firework and then they hear a quieter, similar sound. State what causes the second quieter, similar sound.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7a(i)[1]
barrier direction of wave travel State the name of the process shown in Fig. 7.1. Fig. 7.1
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
A large number of candidates correctly identified the angle of incidence but again this was not always well understood.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates drew a neat diagram with the normal correctly positioned and the angle of incidence at 40°. The reflected ray was drawn correctly by many candidates.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/61 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Candidates were expected to show a pin separation of at least 5 cm. Some candidates placed the pins too close to each other.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/61 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
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