Physics 5054 · O Level · Dispersion of light

Dispersion of light — practice question

A student sends a beam of white light from a filament lamp at a glass prism in a dark room. Fig. 4.1 shows the white beam striking the left-hand face of the glass prism. A screen is positioned to the right of the glass prism. Red light is seen at point R on the screen and violet light is seen at point V.
(a)[2]

Draw on Fig. 4.1 the paths taken by the red light and the violet light between the left-hand side of the prism and the screen at point R and point V.

(b)[2]

State how the speed of red light and the speed of violet light change as each one passes from air into the glass.

(c(i))[2]

The screen shows five other colours between the red light at point R and the violet light at point V. State the names of those five colours and write them in the correct order from red to violet.

(c(ii))[1]

State how the frequency and the wavelength of the coloured light vary as you go from red light to violet light.

(d)[1]

On Fig. 4.1, point P is located immediately beside point R. No light is seen at point P, but a detector at point P registers radiation arriving at the detector. State which part of the electromagnetic spectrum is detected at point P.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: At least one ray from the left-hand side showing correct refraction at both faces, with no incorrect rays shown

  • Full mark scheme, point by point
  • Step-by-step worked solution
  • Write your answer & get it marked instantly by AI