This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Reflection & Refraction for GCSE Physics. Revise Reflection & Refraction in Waves for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 11 of 13
Practice
15 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
🎯 Exam Focus
Frequently Examined
Reflection and refraction are tested with diagrams and explanations. Expect to:
- Draw or complete ray diagrams showing reflection at a mirror or refraction at a glass block boundary
- State the law of reflection and confirm angles from a diagram
- Explain total internal reflection — state both conditions and name an application
- Compare specular and diffuse reflection — smooth vs rough surface, direction of reflected rays
Classic exam question: "Explain how an optical fibre uses total internal reflection to transmit data." — This needs: entering from denser medium, angle exceeds critical angle, complete reflection, no energy loss through the sides.