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AQA GCSE · Question 08.6 · Waves

Rays of light pass through the transparent cover of the headlight. Which diagram shows how a ray of light passes through the transparent cover?

Answer options:

A.

<svg width='200' height='100' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'><rect x='80' y='10' width='40' height='80' fill='lightgray' stroke='black'/><line x1='20' y1='80' x2='180' y2='20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' marker-end='url(#arrowhead)'/></svg>

B.

<svg width='200' height='100' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'><rect x='80' y='10' width='40' height='80' fill='lightgray' stroke='black'/><path d='M 20 80 L 95 55 L 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' fill='none'/><path d='M 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' marker-end='url(#arrowhead)'/></svg>

C.

<svg width='200' height='100' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'><rect x='80' y='10' width='40' height='80' fill='lightgray' stroke='black'/><path d='M 20 80 L 100 50 L 180 70' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' fill='none'/><path d='M 100 50 L 180 70' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' marker-end='url(#arrowhead)'/></svg>

How to approach this question

Apply the rules of refraction for light passing through a rectangular block: 1. When light enters a denser medium (like glass or plastic) from a less dense medium (air), it slows down and bends *towards* the normal. 2. When light leaves the denser medium and re-enters the less dense medium, it speeds up and bends *away* from the normal. 3. For a parallel-sided block, the emergent ray will be parallel to the incident ray, but displaced. Identify the diagram that follows these rules.

Full Answer

B.<svg width='200' height='100' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'><rect x='80' y='10' width='40' height='80' fill='lightgray' stroke='black'/><path d='M 20 80 L 95 55 L 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' fill='none'/><path d='M 125 45 L 180 20' stroke='black' stroke-width='2' marker-end='url(#arrowhead)'/></svg>✓ Correct
The second diagram, showing the ray bending towards the normal on entry and away from the normal on exit, emerging parallel to the incident ray.
When a ray of light passes from air into a transparent block (a denser medium), it refracts towards the normal. When it passes back out from the block into the air (a less dense medium), it refracts away from the normal. - **Diagram 1:** Shows the ray bending away from the normal on entry. This is incorrect. - **Diagram 2:** Shows the ray bending towards the normal on entry and away from the normal on exit. The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray. This is correct. - **Diagram 3:** Shows the ray bending towards the normal on entry, but then bending incorrectly on exit. This is incorrect.

Common mistakes

✗ Forgetting the direction of bending (towards or away from the normal).\n✗ Confusing refraction with reflection.
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