Refraction of light: past paper questions
Real questions on refraction of light
The newest 20 of 71 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(ii)[1]
(ii) On Figure 7.1, label the angle of refraction at B. Use the letter R. [1]
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(i)[1]
State the meaning of critical angle.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2026 · Q7b(ii)[1]
(ii) Figure 7.2 shows the ray of red light at a different angle. This angle is greater than the critical angle. glass normal red light Pa Figure 7.2 On Figure 7.2, continue the ray of red light. [1] air
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[2]
State two advantages of using optical fibres in high-speed data transmission compared to electrical signals sent on copper wires.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[3]
The optical fibre is made of glass with a refractive index of 1.4. Calculate the critical angle c. c =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[1]
State the meaning of critical angle. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(iii)[2]
On Fig. 6.1, label the angle of incidence of the ray of light as it hits the wall of the glass fibre. Draw the continuation of the ray until it leaves the glass fibre.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(i)[1]
Tick one box to complete the sentence. To produce the most accurate ray-trace, a student places the pins P 1 and P 2 exactly 5.0 cm apart. less than 5.0 cm apart.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(ii)[2]
Suggest two other techniques that the student can use to produce an accurate ray-trace. 1. 2.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(iii)[1]
The ray of red light travels from the glass into the air at point P. On Fig. 6.1, draw the path for the ray of red light after it leaves the glass at point P.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(i)[1]
State the name of the process shown in Fig. 5.1 that occurs at the boundaries between air and glass.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[1]
Define refractive index in terms of the speed of light.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(i)[2]
Show that the angle of refraction as the light enters the soap film is approximately 43°.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(ii)[2]
On Fig. 5.1, carefully draw the refracted light ray in the soap film and label the angle of refraction.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
On Fig. 6.1, mark two points with labels F, to show the positions of the principal focuses (focal points) of the lens.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
On Fig. 6.1, draw two rays from the image I to locate the object. Draw the object and label it O.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7a(iii)[1]
deep water shallow water direction of wave travel Fig. 7.3 State the name of the process shown in Fig. 7.3.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7a(iv)[1]
Give a reason why the waves in Fig. 7.3 change direction as they move from deep water to shallow water.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q7c(i)[1]
The prism refracts the white light. State the name of the effect that produces a spectrum.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2024 · Q7c(ii)[2]
In the spectrum shown in Fig. 7.3, there are seven colours. List the seven colours in the order they appear between X and Z. X Z
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates showed the correct refraction of the ray as it left the glass block. Common errors included drawing the ray refracted towards the normal or drawing the ray going straight on after exiting the glass block. A significant number of candidates did not answer this question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q6(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
Many correct answers were seen here. Some confusion between the terms refraction, diffraction and rarefaction was evident, so more practice in using and defining similar terms would have benefitted candidates. In addition, candidates needed to write clearly because when the answer is just one word, handwritten answers such as reflection, refraction and the confused reflaction were often unclear.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/32 Q5(b)(i) (Cambridge)
The strongest candidates defined the refractive index in terms of the ratio of the speed of light in two different media. Weaker candidates were sometimes unclear about whether they meant the speed of light in a medium or the speed of the medium. Some candidates recalled the equation n = sin i ÷ sin r here suggesting that they had not read the question carefully.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/41 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
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