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AQA GCSE · Question 01.5 · Waves
Figure 4 shows a ray of light incident on the reflective surface of a car headlight. Complete Figure 4 to show the reflected ray of light. You should include the normal line at the point where the incident ray meets the reflecting surface.
Figure 4 shows a ray of light incident on the reflective surface of a car headlight. Complete Figure 4 to show the reflected ray of light. You should include the normal line at the point where the incident ray meets the reflecting surface.
How to approach this question
1. Identify the point where the incident ray hits the mirror.
2. Draw the "normal" at this point. For a curved surface, the normal is a line perpendicular to the tangent at that point. It points directly away from the center of curvature.
3. Measure the angle of incidence (the angle between the incident ray and the normal).
4. Draw the reflected ray on the other side of the normal, making sure the angle of reflection (angle between the reflected ray and the normal) is equal to the angle of incidence.
Full Answer
A normal line should be drawn perpendicular to the curved surface at the point of incidence. The reflected ray should be drawn such that the angle of reflection (angle between reflected ray and normal) is equal to the angle of incidence (angle between incident ray and normal). The reflected ray should pass through the focal point of the parabolic mirror.
Reflection from a surface follows the Law of Reflection: angle of incidence (θi) = angle of reflection (θr).
1. **The Normal:** This is an imaginary line drawn at 90° (perpendicular) to the reflective surface at the exact point where the incident ray hits. For a curved mirror, this line points away from the center of the curve.
2. **Angles:** The angles of incidence and reflection are always measured between the ray and the normal, not the surface.
3. **Reflected Ray:** The reflected ray is drawn on the opposite side of the normal from the incident ray, at an equal angle.
Common mistakes
✗ Drawing the normal incorrectly (not at 90° to the surface).\n✗ Measuring angles from the mirror surface instead of the normal.\n✗ Drawing the reflected ray at an incorrect angle.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Physics Higher Tier Paper 2
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