AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 8
13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer
Investigate the refraction of light by a glass block, including resolution, experimental method, plotting and analyzing data graphs, reflection from a curved surface, and refraction through a transparent cover.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
08 A student investigated the refraction of light by a glass block.
Figure 13 shows the protractor used to measure the angles of incidence and the
angles of refraction.
Figure 13
08.1 What is the resolution of the protractor used to measure the angles?
[1 mark]
Resolution = °
Table 1 shows the results.
Table 1
Angle of incidence Angle of refraction
in degrees in degrees
10 6
20 12
30 18
40 23
50 28
60 31 32
08.2 Describe a method the student could have used to obtain the data in Table 1.
You may include a labelled diagram.
[6 marks]
Figure 14 shows some of the results.
Figure 14
The student measured the angles of refraction for two additional angles of incidence.
Table 2 shows the additional results.
Table 2
Angle of incidence Angle of refraction
in degrees in degrees
70 35
80 33 37
08.3 Complete Figure 14.
You should:
• plot the results from Table 2
• draw the line of best fit.
[2 marks]
08.4 How does Figure 14 show that the angle of refraction is not directly proportional to
the angle of incidence?
[1 mark]
Figure 15 shows a diagram of a car headlight.
The headlight has a lamp, a reflective surface and a transparent cover.
Figure 15
08.5 Figure 16 shows a ray of light incident on the reflective surface.
Figure 16
Complete Figure 16 to show the reflected ray of light.
You should include the normal line at the point where the incident ray meets the
reflecting surface.
[2 marks]
08.6 Rays of light pass through the transparent cover of the headlight.
Which diagram shows how a ray of light passes through the transparent cover?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 8
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.1 1 (°) 1 AO3
4.6.1.3
RPA9
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.2 Level 3: The method would lead to the production of a valid 5–6 AO1
outcome. The key steps are identified and logically sequenced. 4.6.1.3
RPA9
Level 2: The method would not necessarily lead to a valid 3–4
outcome. Most steps are identified, but the method is not fully
logically sequenced.
Level 1: The method would not lead to a valid outcome. Some 1–2
relevant steps are identified, but links are not made clear.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
Some indicative content could be indicated within a labelled
diagram
• place a glass block on a piece of paper
• draw around the glass block
• use the ray box to shine a ray of light through the glass block
• mark the ray of light entering the glass block
• mark the ray of light emerging from the glass block
• join the points to show the path of the complete ray through the
block
• and draw a normal line at 90 degrees to the surface
• use a protractor to measure the angle of incidence
• use a protractor to measure the angle of refraction
• use a ray box to shine a ray of light at a range of different angles
(of incidence)
• increase the angle of incidence in 10 degree intervals
• from an angle of incidence of 10 degrees to an angle of
incidence of 60 degrees
Methods involving mirrors and reflection score zero
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.3 points plotted correctly allow tolerance of ± half a small 1 AO2
square 4.6.1.3
RPA9 19
curve drawn passing through allow a line starting at the origin 1
points
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.4 the line curves allow the line is not straight 1 AO3
4.6.1.3
allow line does not pass through RPA9
the origin if consistent with their
answer to question 08.3
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.5 normal drawn 1 AO2
4.6.1.3
ray reflected so i = r judge by eye 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.6 1 AO1
4.6.2.2
Total Question 8 13
How to answer it
Refraction of Light and Reflection Study Guide
What this question tests
This question assesses your practical and analytical skills regarding the refraction of light through a glass block (Required Practical 9), plotting and interpreting graphs, identifying proportionality, and applying the laws of reflection and refraction.
Resolution of a Protractor
✅ Correct Answer
1 (°) or 1 degree
💡 Key Knowledge
The resolution of a measuring instrument is the smallest change in quantity being measured that gives a perceptible change in the reading. On a standard protractor, this is 1 degree.
Describing a Required Practical Method (6 Marks)
✅ Correct Method Steps (Level 3: 5-6 marks)
- Place a glass block on a piece of paper and draw around it.
- Use a ray box to shine a ray of light through the glass block.
- Mark the ray entering and emerging from the glass block, then join points to show the complete path.
- Draw a normal line at 90 degrees to the surface using a protractor.
- Measure the angle of incidence and angle of refraction using a protractor.
- Vary the angle of incidence (e.g., in 10 degree intervals from 10 to 60 degrees).
🧠 Exam Technique & Level Control
To achieve a Level 3 (5–6 marks), your description must be logically sequenced so that another student could follow it to produce valid results. Bullet points showing sequential actions score very well.
❌ Common Errors
Methods involving mirrors and reflection score zero because this practical specifically investigates refraction through a transparent medium (glass block).
Plotting Data and Lines of Best Fit
✅ Correct Answer
Points correctly plotted (within ± half a small square tolerance) with a smooth curve drawn passing through the points, starting at the origin.
❌ Common Errors
Students often incorrectly try to force a straight line of best fit through the points. Because the points curve away, you must draw a smooth curve.
Identifying Proportionality from Graphs
✅ Correct Answer
The line curves (or is not straight).
💡 Key Knowledge
For two variables to be directly proportional, the graph must be a straight line passing through the origin. A curve instantly proves they are not directly proportional.
Reflection in a Curved Mirror
✅ Correct Answer
A normal line drawn perpendicular to the curved surface at the point of incidence, with the reflected ray drawn such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection ( i = r ).
🧠 Exam Technique
Always use a ruler for the normal and reflected rays. The normal must be at 90 degrees to the tangent of the curved surface at the point where the ray hits.
Refraction Through a Parallel-Sided Block
✅ Correct Answer
The correct option shows the ray bending towards the normal upon entering the glass block, and bending away from the normal upon exiting into the air, with the emergent ray parallel to the incident ray.
💡 Key Knowledge
When light enters a denser medium (air to glass), it bends towards the normal. When it exits into a less dense medium (glass to air), it bends away from the normal.
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P6: Waves · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.