Physics 5054 · O Level · Refraction of light

Refraction of light — practice question

A lamp sits at the base of a shallow pool of water. The critical angle for light travelling from water into air is $49^\circ$.
(a)[2]

Explain what the term critical angle means.

(b)[3]

Fig. 4.1 shows three rays of light that make angles of $30^\circ$, $60^\circ$ and $90^\circ$ to the horizontal. On Fig. 4.1, sketch the path followed by each of the three rays after they reach the water surface.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 5-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Least angle that produces total internal reflection

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