Light: past paper questions
Real questions on light
The newest 20 of 144 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[2]
Explain why the ray refracts and changes direction as it enters the glass.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
the principal focus (focal point) of a lens (i)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
the focal length of a lens. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4c(i)[1]
On Fig. 4.2, draw an arrow to represent the height and position of object O. The arrow should start on the principal axis.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4c(ii)[3]
On Fig. 4.2, draw two rays from the tip of the arrow drawn in (c)(i) to locate the position of the tip of the image I of object O. Draw an arrow to represent the image I of the object O. Label the image I.
See it on the paper → - 5054/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[1]
Fig. 5.1 represents the electromagnetic spectrum divided into the seven main regions. radio waves gamma rays increasing wavelength Fig. 5.1 The regions are arranged from left to right in order of increasing wavelength. On Fig. 5.1: • indicate the microwave region by marking it with the letter M
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
Fig. 2.1 shows a top view of the transparent block. M Y Fig. 2.1 On Fig. 2.1, draw a normal to the line XY at point M and extend it above and below the line XY. X
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Draw a line from M at an angle of 40° to the normal to the left of the normal above line XY so that the angle between the drawn line and the normal is 40°. The 40° angle is the angle of incidence. Label the top left-hand end of the line as point L. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[1]
The student uses an illuminated slit to shine a narrow ray of light along the line LM. The student marks the emerging ray with two crosses as shown in Fig. 2.1. Join the marked crosses and extend the line to meet the lower end of the outline of the block. Label this as point P. (iii) The angle of refraction r is the an...
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
The refractive index n of the transparent block is given by the equation shown. n = sin 40° sin r Calculate n and give your answer to 2 significant figures. n =
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[1]
Suggest how you could change the experiment to make sure that your value of n is accurate.
See it on the paper → - 5054/41 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[1]
Theory states that the angle between the emerging ray and the normal at the point that the ray emerges should be the same as the angle of incidence. In (a)(i), the angle of incidence is given as 40°. Add another normal to your diagram. Measure and record the angle α between the emerging ray and the normal. α = ° Explai...
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(i)[1]
The student: • • • • • disconnects the voltmeter reconnects the voltmeter across the 560 Ω resistor closes the switch records the voltmeter reading V 2 opens the switch. The student measures V 2 as 2.18 V. The current I in the circuit is calculated using the equation: V 2 I = R where R = 560 Ω. Calculate the current I....
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(ii)[1]
Use your answers from (b)(ii) and (c)(i) to calculate the resistance R LDR of the LDR under normal lighting conditions, using the equation shown. V 1 R LDR = I R LDR = Ω
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1d[1]
The student: • • • • • • disconnects the voltmeter from across the 560 Ω resistor reconnects the voltmeter across the LDR places a piece of card on top of the LDR to prevent light from reaching the LDR closes the switch records the voltmeter reading V 3 opens the switch. Compare V 1 , measured under normal lighting con...
See it on the paper → - 5054/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1e[1]
The student: • • • holds the card horizontally 50 cm above the LDR slowly moves the card towards the LDR until it rests on top of the LDR observes the readings on the voltmeter across the LDR as the card is moved. Table 1.1 shows the voltmeter readings as the distance d between the card and the LDR decreases. Table 1.1...
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4a[2]
Draw on Fig. 4.1 to show the paths of the red light and the violet light between the left-hand side of the prism and the screen at point R and point V.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[2]
State what these observations show about the change in speed of red light and change in speed of violet light as each enters the glass from the air.
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4c(i)[2]
State the names of the five colours and list them in the correct order from red to violet. red violet
See it on the paper → - 5054/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4c(ii)[1]
State how the frequency and the wavelength of the coloured light change going from red light to violet light. frequency
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates were able to correctly state what happens to the speed, frequency and wavelength of light as it passed from air into the glass block. The most common error was to state that the frequency of the light increased/decreased.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates were able to choose the correct equation and used the angles marked on the diagram to calculate the refractive index of the glass. Occasionally the unit ° or cm was included in the answer.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5054/21 Q4(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Useful applications of ultraviolet radiation included detecting forged banknotes and sterilisation. The use of sunbeds or tanning the skin were very popular answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 5054/22 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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