AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2021: Question 5

8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze ray diagram for a lens, determine lens type, calculate magnification, describe image properties, and explain color filtering effects.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 14 shows a ray diagram of a lens forming an image of an object on a grid, with parts asking to identify the lens type, measure image and object height, calculate magnification, describe image properties, and complete sentences about color filters using a word box.
Question text

05 Figure 14 shows how a lens forms an image of an object.

Figure 14

05.1 What type of lens is represented in Figure 14?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Concave

Convex

Diverging

05.2 Measure the image height and the object height in Figure 14.

[1 mark]

Image height = cm

23 Object height =

cm

05.3 Calculate the magnification produced by the lens.

Use the equation:

image height

magnification =

object height

[2 marks]

Magnification =

05.4 Which two words describe the image in Figure 14?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two boxes.

Enlarged

Inverted

Real

Upright

Virtual 24

05.5 The object was blue.

A student looked at the blue object through a green filter.

Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

[2 marks]

black blue green red white

Looking at the blue object through a green filter makes the object appear

.

This is because the green filter only transmits the light that is .

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides answers for question 5 parts 05.1 through 05.5, detailing correct selections for lens type, measured heights, magnification calculation, image properties, and color filter transmission words, totaling 8 marks.

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 convex 1 AO1

4.6.2.5

05.2 image height = 0.8 (cm) both correct for 1 mark 1 AO2

and 4.6.2.5

object height = 2 (.0 cm)

05.3 magnification = 0.8 (cm) allow their measured object and 1 AO2

2 (.0 cm) image heights from 4.6.2.5

question 05.2

magnification = 0.4(0) 1

05.4 inverted 1 AO3

4.6.2.5

real 1

05.5 black this order only 1 AO1

4.6.2.6

green 1

Total 8

How to answer it

Lenses, Ray Diagrams, and Light Transmission Study Guide

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of optics (lens ray diagrams), calculation of magnification using measurements from diagrams, image characteristics (real/virtual, upright/inverted), and colour filters. You need to combine practical measurement skills with core recall of wave and electromagnetic phenomena.

Question 05.1

Identifying Lens Types

✅ Correct Answer

Convex (tick the middle box)

1 Mark

💡 Key Knowledge

  • A convex (converging) lens bulges outwards and brings parallel rays of light together to a principal focus (F).
  • A concave (diverging) lens curves inwards and spreads parallel rays apart.
Question 05.2

Measuring Image and Object Heights

✅ Correct Answer

Image height = 0.8 cm
Object height = 2.0 cm

1 Mark (both measurements required for the mark)

🧠 Exam Technique

  • Always use a sharp ruler and read grid lines carefully.
  • Count the grid squares corresponding to the height of the arrows representing the object and the image.

❌ Common Errors

Students often lose this mark if they measure one height correctly but misread the scale or grid subdivisions for the other.

Question 05.3

Calculating Magnification

✅ Correct Answer

Magnification = 0.4 (or 0.40)

2 Marks

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. State equation: magnification = image height ÷ object height
  2. Substitute values: 0.8 ÷ 2.0
  3. Calculate final value: 0.4 (No units required as magnification is a ratio).

❌ Common Errors

Failing to follow through: the mark scheme allows ecf (error carried forward) if you used your own incorrect measurements from 05.2, provided you divided them the correct way round!

Question 05.4

Describing Image Characteristics

✅ Correct Answer

Tick Inverted and Real

2 Marks (1 mark for each correct box ticked)

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Real Image: Can be projected onto a screen because light rays actually meet at the image position.
  • Inverted: The image is upside down compared to the object (pointing downwards on the grid).

❌ Common Errors

Ticking more than two boxes penalises your score. Make sure you only select the exact number of boxes requested by the question.

Question 05.5

Colour Filters and Reflection

✅ Correct Answer

Looking at the blue object through a green filter makes the object appear black.
This is because the green filter only transmits the light that is green.

2 Marks (This exact order only)

💡 Key Knowledge

  • A blue object only reflects blue light and absorbs all other colours of light.
  • A green filter only lets green light pass through it (transmits green) and absorbs all other colours.
  • Since no green light is reflected by the blue object, and no blue light passes through the green filter, zero light reaches the eye, making it look black.

Topics

Physics · P6: Waves

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.