ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Physics => Topic started by: Stick on October 04, 2012, 04:47:35 pm
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Are these examinable? My teacher is adamant that we will never be asked to draw a ray diagram during an assessment and that the lens/mirror equation is the preferred method of solution. However, my textbook asks to draw an accurate scale ray diagram nearly every second question... so I wanted to get this confirmed. Thanks. :)
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Even if the question doesn't explicitly ask for a ray diagram, there's nothing wrong with drawing out a diagram to visualise the situation. You won't always have to though, but for nearly all questions you'll be needing to use equations to figure out whatever numeric answer it's looking for.
I wouldn't ever draw out an accurate scale ray diagram though (I assume that involves getting out the protractor) - even for questions that are actually 'draw a ray diagram'. I'd just use a ruler, approximate and then just label what the angle is.
This is Unit 2 Physics isn't it? Your school is the one writing the tests/exams you'll sit, so it's up to him what questions he wants to give you in assessments? If you're asking if you're supposed to know about ray diagrams, then yes, they're in the study design. I know you're not asking if it crops up in Unit 3/4 Physics, since you're not doing that next year.
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I know that a ray diagram is good to use if you need a general idea - I was asking if you needed to draw a 'perfect' diagram, however, in order to work out the problem. Good to have that confirmed.
My teacher writes the SACs but my school buys external exams for VCE Units 1&2 mathematics and science subjects. Is there a chance I could be asked to draw a ray diagram on that?
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No, you do not have to draw a perfect ray diagram with a protractor, however, make sure that it's at least reasonably right. Like, if the incidence angle is 60 degrees, I would make sure that it's about mid-way between 45 and 90 degrees. Even though I'm not sure if marks can be taken off if you draw something that is completely off, such as 30 degrees, it just looks bad.
Yeah, you could be asked to draw a ray diagram.