7.1 The diagram below shows the reflection of a light ray that strikes a flat mirror with a 30° angle of incidence - NSC Technical Sciences - Question 7 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 7
7.1 The diagram below shows the reflection of a light ray that strikes a flat mirror with a 30° angle of incidence.
7.1.1 What is reflection?
Use the diagram to ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:7.1 The diagram below shows the reflection of a light ray that strikes a flat mirror with a 30° angle of incidence - NSC Technical Sciences - Question 7 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
What is reflection?
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Reflection is the change in direction of a wave upon striking the interface between two different media. It involves light bouncing back into the original medium after encountering a reflective surface.
Step 2
Ray AO
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Incident ray
Step 3
Ray OB
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Reflected ray
Step 4
Line M
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Normal line
Step 5
Angle 1
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Angle of incidence
Step 6
Angle 2
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Angle of reflection
Step 7
What is the magnitude of angle 2?
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Answer
Angle 2 is 30°, as it is the same as the angle of incidence due to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Step 8
How will the speed of light be affected when a light ray travels from air into water, perpendicular to the surface?
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The speed of light will decrease when it enters the water from air. This is due to the higher optical density of water compared to air.
Step 9
Which medium, air or water, has the higher optical density?
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Water has the higher optical density compared to air.
Step 10
What will happen to the DIRECTION of the light ray as it enters the water?
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The direction of the light ray will bend towards the normal as it enters the denser medium.
Step 11
Write down the NAME of the phenomenon in QUESTION 7.4.2.
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Refraction
Step 12
Define the term critical angle.
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The critical angle is the angle of incidence in a denser medium at which the refracted ray travels along the boundary between the two media.
Step 13
What observation will be made?
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If the incidence angle is greater than the critical angle, total internal reflection will occur and no refraction will be observed; the light will reflect back into the denser medium.
Step 14
Describe the phenomenon total internal reflection.
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Total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle, causing the light ray to reflect entirely back into the denser medium instead of refracting. This phenomenon is responsible for the functioning of fiber optic cables.
Step 15
Is the incident angle GREATER THAN or SMALLER THAN the critical angle?
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The incident angle is GREATER THAN the critical angle.
