Physics Paper 2 Exam Question – Practical
(Light Waves)
A student decides to investigate the refractive index of a glass block.
The student has a glass block, a ray box, a power supply and a
protractor. Briefly describe a method the student could use to
determine the refractive index of a glass block.
(5)
Student Response 1
The student should shine the ray of light onto the glass block. They
should then measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction
and use this to calculate the refractive index of the glass.
Is this a good answer?
Student Response 1: Verdict
The student should shine the ray of light onto the glass block. They
should then measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction
and use this to calculate the refractive index of the glass.
This is a basic answer that requires more detail to score the full 5
marks available. This would score 1/5.
Student Response 1: Improvements
The student should shine the ray of light onto the glass block.
The response could include reference to directing the beam at the boundary between the glass and
the air. Drawing in a normal at this point is important as it is essential to measuring relevant angles.
They should then measure the angle of incidence and the angle of
refraction
The response should include how this will be measured and from what point? What piece of
equipment would they use to measure this angle?
and use this to calculate the refractive index of the glass.
The response should include the equation required, i.e. sin i/sin r will give the refractive index of
the glass to air boundary.
Student Response 2
Place a glass block on a piece of white paper. Draw around the glass
block. Connect the ray box to the power supply and direct the beam of
light towards the air/glass boundary. Draw in where the beam enters
and leaves the block. Remove the block and connect the beams within
the glass. At the boundaries, draw in a normal using a protractor.
Measure the angles of incidence and refraction using the protractor.
Calculate the refractive index using the ratio of sin i to sin r.
Is this a good answer?
Student Response 2: Commentary
Place a glass block on a piece of white paper. Draw around the glass
block. Connect the ray box to the power supply and direct the beam of
light towards the air/glass boundary. [1]
It needs to be clear where the ray is being directed. The key is towards the boundary
between two mediums.
Draw in where the beam enters and leaves the block. Remove the
block and connect the beams within the glass. At the boundaries, draw
in a normal using a protractor. [2]
The normal is the 90° line from which the angles are measured. This shows students
recognise its importance in angle measurement. Identifying the equipment used to
measure an angle is also important.
Measure the angles of incidence and refraction using the protractor.
[1]
Correctly identifies the angles required.
Calculate the refractive index using the ratio of sin i to sin r. [1]
The student states how the refractive index is calculated as a ratio of the sins. The student
could also just write out the equation.
