PhysicsUK Connections

Connections.EXPLORE · CONNECT · UNDERSTAND YOUR COURSEOCR A · AS Physics Browse topics →
All apps ↗
55 ideas · 69 connections
Wave frequency and photon energy Motion graphs and wave graphs: read the axes Refraction changes speed and wavelength together Path difference becomes phase difference Stationary waves are a superposition pattern Use a stationary pattern to measure wave speed Waves4.4 Quantum physics4.5 Kinematics3.1.1 Wave motion4.4.1 Electromagnetic waves4.4.2 Superposition4.4.3 Stationary waves4.4.4
100%

Select a node to explore. Select a green line to follow a connection.

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom · arrow keys to move · 0 to fit

Physics connection Topic → subtopic
Explore the connections 69
PHYSICSUK CONNECTIONS
Physics connection

Refraction changes speed and wavelength together

OCR A AS Physics · Two ideas, one explanation

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

  1. Keep the frequency fixed across the boundary.
  2. Use refractive index to find speed or wavelength in the medium.
  3. Apply Snell’s law to the angles measured from the normal.
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.
Open the official OCR AS specification ↗

H156 v2.0 · May 2026

OFFICIAL EXAM-BOARD RESOURCES

See it in an exam

A curated collection of checked examples. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete past-paper catalogue.

ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS

Put the ideas to work

More practice is on its way

No PhysicsUK question linked yet. New eligible questions appear here as the bank grows.

PhysicsUK · Built for understanding