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Physics Past Questions on Light Waves and Optics.

Published on Aug 22, 2025 • Education

Introduction

Welcome to this class! In a previous lesson, we explored Physics questions on waves and light (optics). Today, we’ll continue with Physics past questions on optics, focusing on the law of reflection and its applications. If you haven’t studied our earlier topic on optics, I recommend revisiting it to strengthen your foundation.

Let’s get started with the questions and answers.

Question 1 – Law of Reflection

The first question asks:
In the law of reflection, what is the angle of incidence equal to?

Answer

According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.

Explanation

• The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray (incoming light) and the normal line at the point where the light strikes.
• The angle of reflection is measured between the reflected ray and the normal line.
• Hence, the law is expressed as: Angle of incidence (i) = Angle of reflection (r)

Applications of Reflection

• Plane mirrors used at home and in vehicles.
• Periscopes in submarines.
• Optical devices such as telescopes and kaleidoscopes.

Exam Tip

In Physics exams (WAEC, JAMB, IGCSE, or any standard paper), always emphasize that the law of reflection works for both smooth and rough surfaces. This distinction shows a deeper grasp of the topic.

Watch the full tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO5wNACk0ds&t=6s

Conclusion

The law of reflection is a fundamental principle of optics. It explains how light behaves when it strikes reflective surfaces and underpins the design of many scientific instruments and everyday devices. Mastering this concept is essential for success in Physics exams at both high school and advanced levels.

Related Videos:

• Understanding Waves and Properties in Physics
• NABTEB Physics Past Questions with Solutions
• NABTEB Physics Past Questions and Answers
• Understanding Statistics and Probability in Mathematics
• Understanding Trigonometry in Mathematics

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• Physics past questions and answers
• Physics optics past questions
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• Physics light waves questions and answers