Reflection & Refraction-Worksheet
1. Refraction is when waves -----------------------(1) as they cross a boundary.
Waves are only refracted if the wave meets the boundary at an ----------(2). The amount the wave changes its direction
depends on the difference on the materials it is travelling between. This is because waves travel with different------
-------(3) in different materials.
If the wave speeds up in the new material, its path will bend ---------------(4) the normal.
If the wave slows down in the new material, its path will bend ------------(5) the normal.
Usually, waves travel ----------(6) in denser materials. A notable exception to this rule is sound waves, which travel
faster in denser materials.
2. A ray of light reflects off a mirror with an angle of incidence of 62°. What is the angle of reflection?
3. Explain why some materials appear matte when a light is reflected off them.
4. Describe what happens when an electromagnetic wave crosses a boundary at an angle from air into glass.
Reflection & Refraction Year 9
5 A student uses a semicircular glass block to investigate refraction in glass.
(a) List three other pieces of equipment that he needs for this investigation.
1 .............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................... ...................
2 .............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................... ...................
3 .............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................... ...................
(b) He shines a ray of light into the block at point P, as shown.
P is the middle of the flat surface.
(i) On the diagram, draw the normal at P.
(ii) Measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction.
angle of incidence.................... ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................
angle of refraction .............................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................
(iii) Explain why the ray of light changes direction at P.
Reflection & Refraction Year 9
(c) The student varies the angle of incidence and obtains this table of results.
Angle of Angle of
sin i sin r
incidence i refraction r
11° 7° 0.19 0.12
24° 15° 0.41 0.26
47° 28° 0.73 0.47
65° 36° 0.91 0.59
90° 40° 1.00 0.64
(i) Plot a graph of sin i against sin r.
Reflection & Refraction Year 9
(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit.
(iii) State the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence and angle
of refraction.
(iv) Use your graph to find the refractive index of glass.
refractive index = . . . .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ...
Reflection & Refraction Year 9
6.
Refraction
Refraction