PHYSICS CONNECTION
Refraction changes speed and wavelength together
Light crossing a stationary boundary keeps its frequency. A change in speed therefore changes its wavelength, and the boundary geometry determines its direction.
v = fλ n = c/v
Follow the reasoning
- Keep the frequency fixed across the boundary.
- Use refractive index to find speed or wavelength in the medium.
- Apply Snell’s law to the angles measured from the normal.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 3
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 7(c)
Calculate wavelength and refraction when light enters glass.
Question 5
Connect refraction with wave speed and wavelength, then trace a ray experimentally.
Question 17
Track frequency, wavelength and speed as water waves enter shallow water.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
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Specification outcomes (4)
- 4.4.1(c) Use 1/T = f to relate period and frequency.
- 4.4.1(d) Use the wave equation v = fλ.
- 4.4.2(d)(i) Define refraction of light, refractive index n = c / v, and Snell’s law n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂.
- 4.4.2(e) Define critical angle using sin c = 1 / n and describe total internal reflection.