Physics (Separate Science) · GCSE · OCR · OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) — Higher (J249) · Specification point · P5.3 · Waves in matter
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P5.3 Wave interactions
Summary Having studied the electromagnetic spectrum learners now go on to look at the interactions of waves with materials, this will include absorption, refraction and reflection. Learners will also be expected to draw ray diagrams to illustrate the refraction of rays through lenses. Underlying knowledge and understanding Learners will already be familiar with the properties and behaviour of light. They are expected to have an understanding of behaviour such as reflection, refraction, absorption and scattering. Learners should know that colours are produced by light at different frequencies.
Common misconceptions A common misconception is that when light passes through a coloured filter, the filter will add colour to the light. In addition, learners are often confused about which colours are primary colours.
| Learning outcomes | To include | Maths | Working scientifically | Practical suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
P5.3a recall that different substances may absorb, transmit, refract, or reflect electromagnetic waves in ways that vary with wavelength | ||||
P5.3b explain how some effects are related to differences in the velocity of electromagnetic waves in different substances
P5.3c ☑ use ray diagrams to illustrate reflection, refraction and the similarities and differences between convex and concave lenses (qualitative only) | how the behaviour of convex and concave lenses determine how they may be used, for example, to correct vision | M5a, M5b | WS1.1b, WS1.2c, WS1.3a, WS1.3e, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c | Use of concave and convex lenses to investigate how they alter the path of light in different ways. (PAG P4) Investigation using convex lenses to see how the image of a light bulb varies with the distance of the bulb from the lens. (PAG P4) |
P5.3d ☑ construct two-dimensional ray diagrams to illustrate reflection and refraction (qualitative only – equations not needed) | M5a, M5b |
P5.3e ☑ explain how colour is related to differential absorption, transmission and reflection | specular reflection and scattering | WS1.1b, WS1.2c, WS1.3a, WS1.3e, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c | Use of coloured filters and light sources to investigate how filters work. (PAG P4) |