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Date May 2022 Marks available 1 Reference code 22M.1.SL.TZ1.17
Level Standard level Paper Paper 1 Time zone 1
Command term Question number 17 Adapted from N/A

Question

A ray of light is incident on the flat side of a semi-circular glass block placed in paraffin. The ray is totally internally reflected inside the glass block as shown.

The refractive index of glass is n1 and the refractive index of paraffin is n2.

What is correct?

A.  sinθ=n1n2

B.  sinθ=n2n1

C.  sinθ=1n1

D.  sinθ=1n2

Markscheme

B

Examiners report

While option A (correct) was the most frequent response from candidates, options B and D were significant distractors. Very few candidates selected option A, recognizing that different frequency and amplitude could not lead to zero intensity through interference.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 4: Waves » 4.4 – Wave behaviour
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