AP Physics 2 : AP Physics 2
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Optics
The speed of light in a vacuum, 
The definition of refractive index of a medium 
We have values for 
Because we're dividing two values with the same units, our answer is unitless.
Example Question #511 : Ap Physics 2
Light rays encounter a mystery optical device, resulting in a new distribution of the light waves as shown. Assume the light travels from right to left.
What type of reflecting or refracting surface is depicted?
Converging lens
Diverging mirror
Converging mirror
Diverging lens
Plane (flat) mirror
Converging lens
In a converging lens, the light waves pass through it and have their angles altered so that they point closer together than they did before they went through the lens. In the picture, the light waves are diverging from a point until they go into the lens, at which point they no longer diverge from each other. Therefore, this is a converging lens. Because the waves are travelling the same direction the whole time, it can't be the converging or diverging mirrors. If the lens were diverging, they'd be more separated. If it were a plane mirror, the waves would get polarized (they'd have the same phase angle).
Example Question #512 : Ap Physics 2
If a person with near point distance of 20cm observes a fine detailed coin with magnifying glass with an angular magnification of 5, what is the focal length?
Use the formula for focal length.
Solve for focal length by substituting known values.
Example Question #1 : Other Optics Principles
Malus' law:
Where 
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another at angle 
Using Malus' law.
Since the initial light is unpolarized, there will be no intensity lost.
Example Question #3 : Other Optics Principles
Malus' law:
Where
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another polarizer at angle 
None of these
Use Malus' law.
The light's intensity is reduced by the final two polarizers. It is thus necessary to use Malus' law twice.
Where 
Combining equations:
Plug in values:
Example Question #513 : Ap Physics 2
Malus' law:
Where
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another polarizer at angle 
None of these
Use Malus' law.
The light's intensity is reduced by the final two polarizers. We will need to use Malus' law twice.
Where 
Combining equations:
Plug in values:
Example Question #6 : Other Optics Principles
Malus' law:
Where
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another polarizer at angle 
None of these
Use Malus' law.
The light's intensity is reduced by the final two polarizers. We will need to use Malus' law twice.
Where 
Combine equations:
Plug in values:
Example Question #101 : Optics
Malus' law:
Where
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another polarizer at angle 
None of these
Use Malus' law.
The light's intensity is reduced by the final two polarizers. We will need to use Malus' law twice.
Where 
Combine equations:
Plug in values:
Example Question #1 : Other Optics Principles
Malus' law:
Where
Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer. It then passes through another polarizer at angle 
None of these
Use Malus' law.
The light's intensity is reduced by the final two polarizers. We will need to use Malus law twice.
Where 
Combine equations:
Plug in values:
Example Question #3 : Other Optics Principles
You are passing a ray of light through clear alcohol to determine properties. You shine the light ray exactly 
Suppose that the alcohol surface will completely reflect the incoming light beam like a mirror. At what angle will the angle of reflectance be to the normal of the surface of the alcohol?
Assuming the alcohol works like a perfect mirror, the angle of reflectance will equal the angle of incidence. Therefore, the angle of reflectance will be
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