Edexcel

IGCSE
PHYSICS
Waves

Light and Sound 1

Time allowed
74 minutes

MARK SCHEME

Score Percentage

/62 %
4.1 | CELL BIOLOGY | QUESTION PAPER 1 1
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
1 (a) 3 or more correct lines = 2 marks 2
Any two correct lines = 1 mark

Notes about the total Right or

internal reflection of light wrong
the angle of incidence
equals the angle of

reflection

light changes speed when it

is internally reflected 

every ray entering the

semicircular glass block is
reflected by total internal 
reflection

if i = 0 then the ray does

not deviate 

the refractive index of glass

is bigger than the refractive

index of air

(b) MP1 only two internal reflections 3

attempted;
MP2 horizontal line from first TIR to horizontal line by eye
second TIR;
MP3 ray does not deviate on exit; ignore arrows

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
1 (c) (i) Statement of sin c = 1/n; 3
Substitution;
Calculation; Value of c (or n) to at
least 3 s.f.
e.g. sin c = 1/n …………………..worth 1
sin c = 1/1.5………………………..worth 2
(= 0.667) so c = 41.8º ……….worth 3
Allow reverse
argument for max 2.
Sin 42º = 0.669,
giving n = 1.49
(“about 1.5”)
Sin 42 x 1.5 =1.0036
1
(sin 42 =1/1.5)
Beware spurious
maths that gives
about 42 degrees

(ii) Any two of the following ideas:- allow 2

 RI= sin i /sin r n= speed 1/speed2

n= 1/sin c

 RI(n) is (only) a number /ratio; proportion for ratio

 a sine is a number /ratio; units cancel out

(d) (i) Plot at 1.5, 42; no tolerance 1

(ii) Any one of - 1

Fits the trend/pattern;
(point is on) an extrapolation of line May be shown on
to; graph OR e.g. “where
the line would go”

(iii) Any two of - 2

MP1. Idea that a reduced scale gives allow
full(er) use of grid; reduced scale fits the
data ranges (of RI or
c)
MP2. RI is always more than 1 (for ignore RI >0
incidence in air)
MP3. angle c greater than ~20°; allow angle c never
zero

Total 14 marks

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
2 (a) any three from: 3
paper / pen / pencil; allow cork board
protractor;
ruler / straight edge;
light source (& power supply); ignore unqualified
‘light’
(optical) pins; allow needles

(b) (i) line drawn at P at 90 to the flat judge by eye 1

surface;

(ii) 41(); tolerance +/- 3 2

21(); no ECF

(iii) change of medium / eq; allow change of 2

refractive index /
(optical) density
change in speed / wavelength; ignore changes
direction

reject second mark

if contradiction
seen

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (c) (i) label on both axes; ignore orientation 4
ignore any units
scale on both axes; linear scale using
≥50% of the grid
plotting;; tolerance is +/- 0.5
square
-1 for each error

(ii) straight line of best fit (towards zero); points should be 1

evenly distributed
about the line

(iii) n = sin i ÷ sin r accept sine for sin 1

(iv) correct use of data from graph or table 2

seen;
value in range 1.54-1.60;

total marks = 16

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
3 (a) (i) Any two of - NB do not credit 2
repeat of ‘totally’,
‘internally’
MP1. Idea that the reflection is (from a within
surface) inside the material;
MP2. Idea that all of the light is
reflected;
MP3. Idea that reflection occurs inside Allow inside the
the optically more dense medium; higher refractive
index medium
MP4. light incident at angle greater than
critical angle

(ii) Any two sensible uses – 2

e. allow
 optical fibres for communication; only allow bald
‘optical fibre’ if no
other O.F. mark
given
 in endoscopes; description of use
 optical fibres in decorative
lamps/eq;
 in safety reflector; e.g bicycle/car
reflector, cat’s eye
 (Rectifying) prism in
binoculars/telescope;
 (Viewing) prism in camera;
 (Reflecting) prism in periscope;
 (Reflecting) prism in rangefinder;

(b) (i) B - OB 1

(ii) sin c = 1/n Allow 1

rearrangements
and abbreviations
μ for n
condone
sin i for sin c

(iii) Substitution and rearrangement in correct 2

equation;
Evaluation;
e.g. n=1/sin 42° = 1/0.6691
n= 1.5 1.49, 1.50
(1.4945)

Total 8 marks

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
4 (a) (i) D refraction; 1

(ii) any 2 of: allow ‘light’ for 2

waves
MP1. waves slow down;

MP2. waves change direction/bend/angle; do not allow ‘curved’

MP3. wavelength decreases; allow wavefronts

closer together

(b) (i) line at 90 to the surface at point of contact; judge by eye 1
label not required

(ii) angle between normal and incident ray clearly allow ecf from normal 1
indicated; line drawn in (b)(i)

allow measured value

in degrees

Total 5 marks

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
5 (a) (i) change of direction of a wave (as it changes allow definition in terms 1
from 1 medium to another); of change of speed
condone ‘bending of
light’
(ii)
MP1. right angle by eye; allow 3
normal labelled with
right angle (90º or
MP2. incident angle marked; symbol)
MP3. incident angle value in range 31º to 34º;
Give 2 marks (MP2 and
MP3) for answer in
range without a marked
incident angle

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 iii 3

MP1. rr > rb ;
red line above blue line
MP2. rr < i ; inside prism
refraction at first surface
MP3. less refraction than for blue light on (inside grey area)
emergence;
exit rays diverge
downwards

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 iv what happens inside the prism allow for MP1 2
ONE mark from:-
MP1. (blue light will) refract more (at the first it will go slower;
surface);
MP2. it will be nearer the normal;
MP3. ‘r’ will be smaller;

what happens on emergence:-

ONE mark from:-
MP4. it will bend even more;
MP5. so larger deviation than previously;

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number
5 b i 5

axes labelled with units;

scales correct and linear to cover at least half the grid on one of the axes;
points;;
(-1 for each incorrect point to a maximum of 2)
curve of best fit drawn;

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (ii) point 10, 60 circled; 1
(10,)50; allow 49-52 1
1
(iii) 63 / ans from candidates graph; ans in range 62-66

(iv) Any two from 2

• pattern sentence / positive correlation / as one increases the
positive slope; other increases
allow
• refractometer
• gradient changes/nonlinearity discussed; readings increase
faster than % sugar
concentration
• attempted
mathematical
• not through the origin; description e.g.
exponential or
similar

(Total for Question 5 = 19 marks)

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 BOOST YOUR GCSE PHYSICS
PERFORMANCE WITH STUDY
MIND'S ONLINE COURSE
200+ Video Tutorials tailored to your
specification, 500+ Flashcards, Examiner
Tutorials and more

Weekly Classes by GCSE Physics Expert to

help you secure a 9

100% Money Back Guarantee if

dissatisfied within 3 days of purchasing

https://studymind.co.uk/online-
courses/gcse-physics-online-
course/

ACCESS NOW for £19/m (Cancel anytime!)

 STUDY MIND GCSE
PHYSICS 1-1 TUTORS
Delivered by expert GCSE Physics tutors
personalised 1:1 approach tailored to your
needs

Lessons supported by comprehensive

topic-by-topic tutorial slides, past
papers, and revision notes

100% Money Back Guarantee for first

lesson

https://studymind.co.uk/subject
/gcse-physics-tutor/

Book your FREE consultation now