Define the term transmitted in the context of EM waves (Higher Tier Only)

transmitted is when an EM wave passes through a material without being absorbed or reflected

True or False? Glass transmits and refracts visible light.

True. Glass allows visible light to pass through and changes its direction — this is transmission and refraction . Glass absorbs UV radiation and reflects IR radiation instead.

Why do EM waves refract when they enter a material? (Higher Tier Only)

EM waves refract because they slow down when they enter a material. The change in speed causes the waves to change direction.

When EM waves move from one medium to another, they can be .......... , .......... , reflected or absorbed.

When EM waves move from one medium to another, they can be transmitted , refracted , reflected or absorbed.

Define the term absorbed in the context of EM waves and materials (Higher Tier Only)

absorbed is when energy is transferred from the EM wave into the particles of a material — the wave does not pass through

True or False? All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

True. All EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum. It is only when they enter a material that they slow down by different amounts.

What two factors determine how a material interacts with an EM wave? (Higher Tier Only)

The interaction depends on the wavelength of the EM wave and the type of material it is travelling through. Different wavelengths can be transmitted, absorbed, reflected or refracted by the same material.

All EM waves travel at the same speed in a .......... , but slow down when they enter a .......... , which causes them to refract.

All EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum , but slow down when they enter a material , which causes them to refract.

Define the term principal focus of a convex lens.

the principal focus is the point at which parallel rays of light converge after passing through a convex lens

True or False? A concave lens causes parallel rays of light to converge.

False. A concave lens causes parallel rays of light to diverge (spread out). It is a convex lens that converges parallel rays to a principal focus.

Why does a more curved convex lens have a shorter focal length?

A more curved lens refracts light more sharply. This means parallel rays are bent to meet at a principal focus that is closer to the lens, giving a shorter focal length .

Define the term focal length of a lens.

the focal length is the distance from the lens to the principal focus

A convex lens is also called a .......... lens because it brings parallel rays of light to a focus. A concave lens is also called a .......... lens because it spreads rays out.

A convex lens is also called a converging lens because it brings parallel rays of light to a focus. A concave lens is also called a diverging lens because it spreads rays out.

True or False? Refraction occurs when light crosses a boundary between two transparent media.

True. When light crosses a boundary between two different transparent media, it changes speed and bends — this is refraction . The direction of bending depends on whether the light speeds up or slows down.

What happens to the speed and direction of light when it passes from air into glass?

Light slows down when it enters glass from air. Because it slows down, it bends towards the normal — this is refraction .

Define the term converging lens .

a converging lens (convex lens) is a lens that brings parallel rays of light together at the principal focus

During refraction, only the .......... and .......... of light change — the frequency stays the same, so the colour does not change.

During refraction, only the speed and wavelength of light change — the frequency stays the same, so the colour does not change.

Define the term real image in the context of lenses.

A real image is one where the light rays actually meet after refraction . It can be projected onto a screen.

True or False? A concave lens can produce either a real or a virtual image.

False. A concave (diverging) lens always produces a virtual image. Only a convex (converging) lens can produce a real image, and only when the object is placed beyond the focal length.

What type of image does a convex lens produce when the object is placed beyond the focal length?

When the object is placed beyond the focal length , a convex lens produces a real , inverted image. The image may be magnified or diminished depending on how far beyond the focal length the object is placed.

When drawing a convex lens ray diagram, one ray passes through the .......... of the lens in a straight line, and a second ray travels parallel to the axis before being refracted through the .......... .

When drawing a convex lens ray diagram, one ray passes through the centre of the lens in a straight line, and a second ray travels parallel to the axis before being refracted through the principal focus .

Define the term virtual image in the context of lenses.

A virtual image is one where the light rays only appear to meet when traced back. It cannot be projected onto a screen.

True or False? A virtual image formed by a convex lens is always upright.

True. When a convex lens produces a virtual image (object closer than the focal length), the image is always upright and magnified. A real image from a convex lens is always inverted.

What type of image does a concave lens always produce?

A concave lens always produces a virtual , upright and diminished image. The rays diverge after the lens and only appear to meet when traced back behind the lens.

Complete the table to show the properties of images formed by each lens type. Lens type Image type Orientation Size Convex (object beyond focal length) Inverted Convex (object inside focal length) Virtual Magnified Concave Upright

Complete the table to show the properties of images formed by each lens type. Lens type Image type Orientation Size Convex (object beyond focal length) Real Inverted Magnified or diminished Convex (object inside focal length) Virtual Upright Magnified Concave Virtual Upright Diminished

What are the three properties used to describe an image formed by a lens?

An image is described as: 1. real or virtual 2. magnified or diminished 3. upright or inverted

Define the term specular reflection .

Specular reflection is reflection from a smooth surface in a single direction — the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection

True or False? White light is a single colour of the electromagnetic spectrum.

False. White light is a mixture of all the colours of the visible spectrum. Each colour has a different wavelength and frequency.

Why does an object appear red when white light shines on it?

The object reflects red light into our eyes and absorbs all other colours of visible light. The colour we see is determined by which wavelengths are reflected.

White light can be split into a spectrum of colours by passing it through a .......... , using the process of .......... .

White light can be split into a spectrum of colours by passing it through a prism , using the process of refraction .

Define the term scattering (diffuse reflection).

Scattering is reflection from a rough surface in many directions — it gives objects a dull or matt appearance

True or False? A colour filter absorbs certain wavelengths and transmits others.

True. A colour filter works by absorbing some wavelengths of light and transmitting others. For example, a red filter transmits red light and absorbs all other colours.

What colour does an object appear if it absorbs all wavelengths of visible light?

The object appears black . If all wavelengths are absorbed, no light is reflected back to our eyes. An object appears white if all wavelengths are reflected equally.

Complete the table to show how each object appears and why. Object What happens to light Appearance Mirror (smooth surface) Specular reflection Rough table surface Dull / matt Red filter (white light) Transmits red, absorbs others Black object Black

Complete the table to show how each object appears and why. Object What happens to light Appearance Mirror (smooth surface) Specular reflection Clear reflection visible Rough table surface Scattering (diffuse reflection) Dull / matt Red filter (white light) Transmits red, absorbs others Red Black object Absorbs all wavelengths Black

Which colour of light is refracted the most when white light passes through a prism?

Violet light is refracted the most when white light passes through a prism. Red light is refracted the least. This difference in refraction splits white light into a spectrum of colours.

GCSEPhysicsOCRPhysics A (Gateway)Flashcards5. Waves in MatterWave Interactions

Wave Interactions (OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway)): Flashcards

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Define the term transmitted in the context of EM waves (Higher Tier Only)

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Cards in this collection (35)

Define the term transmitted in the context of EM waves (Higher Tier Only)
transmitted is when an EM wave passes through a material without being absorbed or reflected
True or False?
Glass transmits and refracts visible light.
True.
Glass allows visible light to pass through and changes its direction — this is transmission and refraction. Glass absorbs UV radiation and reflects IR radiation instead.
Why do EM waves refract when they enter a material? (Higher Tier Only)
EM waves refract because they slow down when they enter a material. The change in speed causes the waves to change direction.
When EM waves move from one medium to another, they can be .........., .........., reflected or absorbed.
When EM waves move from one medium to another, they can be transmitted, refracted, reflected or absorbed.
Define the term absorbed in the context of EM waves and materials (Higher Tier Only)
absorbed is when energy is transferred from the EM wave into the particles of a material — the wave does not pass through
True or False?
All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
True.
All EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum. It is only when they enter a material that they slow down by different amounts.
What two factors determine how a material interacts with an EM wave? (Higher Tier Only)
The interaction depends on the wavelength of the EM wave and the type of material it is travelling through. Different wavelengths can be transmitted, absorbed, reflected or refracted by the same material.
All EM waves travel at the same speed in a .........., but slow down when they enter a .........., which causes them to refract.
All EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum, but slow down when they enter a material, which causes them to refract.
Define the term principal focus of a convex lens.
the principal focus is the point at which parallel rays of light converge after passing through a convex lens
True or False?
A concave lens causes parallel rays of light to converge.
False.
A concave lens causes parallel rays of light to diverge (spread out). It is a convex lens that converges parallel rays to a principal focus.
Why does a more curved convex lens have a shorter focal length?
A more curved lens refracts light more sharply. This means parallel rays are bent to meet at a principal focus that is closer to the lens, giving a shorter focal length.
Define the term focal length of a lens.
the focal length is the distance from the lens to the principal focus
A convex lens is also called a .......... lens because it brings parallel rays of light to a focus. A concave lens is also called a .......... lens because it spreads rays out.
A convex lens is also called a converging lens because it brings parallel rays of light to a focus. A concave lens is also called a diverging lens because it spreads rays out.
True or False?
Refraction occurs when light crosses a boundary between two transparent media.
True.
When light crosses a boundary between two different transparent media, it changes speed and bends — this is refraction. The direction of bending depends on whether the light speeds up or slows down.
What happens to the speed and direction of light when it passes from air into glass?
Light slows down when it enters glass from air. Because it slows down, it bends towards the normal — this is refraction.
Define the term converging lens.
a converging lens (convex lens) is a lens that brings parallel rays of light together at the principal focus
During refraction, only the .......... and .......... of light change — the frequency stays the same, so the colour does not change.
During refraction, only the speed and wavelength of light change — the frequency stays the same, so the colour does not change.
Define the term real image in the context of lenses.
A real image is one where the light rays actually meet after refraction. It can be projected onto a screen.
True or False?
A concave lens can produce either a real or a virtual image.
False.
A concave (diverging) lens always produces a virtual image. Only a convex (converging) lens can produce a real image, and only when the object is placed beyond the focal length.
What type of image does a convex lens produce when the object is placed beyond the focal length?
When the object is placed beyond the focal length, a convex lens produces a real, inverted image. The image may be magnified or diminished depending on how far beyond the focal length the object is placed.
When drawing a convex lens ray diagram, one ray passes through the .......... of the lens in a straight line, and a second ray travels parallel to the axis before being refracted through the .......... .
When drawing a convex lens ray diagram, one ray passes through the centre of the lens in a straight line, and a second ray travels parallel to the axis before being refracted through the principal focus.
Define the term virtual image in the context of lenses.
A virtual image is one where the light rays only appear to meet when traced back. It cannot be projected onto a screen.
True or False?
A virtual image formed by a convex lens is always upright.
True.
When a convex lens produces a virtual image (object closer than the focal length), the image is always upright and magnified. A real image from a convex lens is always inverted.
What type of image does a concave lens always produce?
A concave lens always produces a virtual, upright and diminished image. The rays diverge after the lens and only appear to meet when traced back behind the lens.
Complete the table to show the properties of images formed by each lens type.
Lens type
Image type
Orientation
Size
Convex (object beyond focal length)
Inverted
Convex (object inside focal length)
Virtual
Magnified
Concave
Upright
Complete the table to show the properties of images formed by each lens type.
Lens type
Image type
Orientation
Size
Convex (object beyond focal length)
Real
Inverted
Magnified or diminished
Convex (object inside focal length)
Virtual
Upright
Magnified
Concave
Virtual
Upright
Diminished
What are the three properties used to describe an image formed by a lens?
An image is described as: 1. real or virtual 2. magnified or diminished 3. upright or inverted
Define the term specular reflection.
Specular reflection is reflection from a smooth surface in a single direction — the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection
True or False?
White light is a single colour of the electromagnetic spectrum.
False.
White light is a mixture of all the colours of the visible spectrum. Each colour has a different wavelength and frequency.
Why does an object appear red when white light shines on it?
The object reflects red light into our eyes and absorbs all other colours of visible light. The colour we see is determined by which wavelengths are reflected.
White light can be split into a spectrum of colours by passing it through a .........., using the process of .......... .
White light can be split into a spectrum of colours by passing it through a prism, using the process of refraction.
Define the term scattering (diffuse reflection).
Scattering is reflection from a rough surface in many directions — it gives objects a dull or matt appearance
True or False?
A colour filter absorbs certain wavelengths and transmits others.
True.
A colour filter works by absorbing some wavelengths of light and transmitting others. For example, a red filter transmits red light and absorbs all other colours.
What colour does an object appear if it absorbs all wavelengths of visible light?
The object appears black. If all wavelengths are absorbed, no light is reflected back to our eyes. An object appears white if all wavelengths are reflected equally.

Lens type	Image type	Orientation	Size
Convex (object beyond focal length)		Inverted
Convex (object inside focal length)	Virtual		Magnified
Concave		Upright

Lens type	Image type	Orientation	Size
Convex (object beyond focal length)	Real	Inverted	Magnified or diminished
Convex (object inside focal length)	Virtual	Upright	Magnified
Concave	Virtual	Upright	Diminished

Complete the table to show how each object appears and why.

Object	What happens to light	Appearance
Mirror (smooth surface)	Specular reflection
Rough table surface		Dull / matt
Red filter (white light)	Transmits red, absorbs others
Black object		Black

Complete the table to show how each object appears and why.

Object	What happens to light	Appearance
Mirror (smooth surface)	Specular reflection	Clear reflection visible
Rough table surface	Scattering (diffuse reflection)	Dull / matt
Red filter (white light)	Transmits red, absorbs others	Red
Black object	Absorbs all wavelengths	Black

Which colour of light is refracted the most when white light passes through a prism?
Violet light is refracted the most when white light passes through a prism. Red light is refracted the least. This difference in refraction splits white light into a spectrum of colours.

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