Your task is to answer the following questions:

3b Question 1a
What are fibre optics and give a short description of how they
work? A diagram may be useful.

They are long thin strands of pure glass or plastic that are similar in size to human hair.
They are capable of sending light signals and are better than metal wires. Used in the
medical field and wiring for TVs and computers.

5d Question 1b
Describe how an understanding of total internal reflection has
helped scientists to develop endoscope and phones

Light travels down the tube the tube bends light travels in
straight lines the light reflects of the side of the tube so it
makes it flexible wires can turn around things easily so they can
go in small areas to help do fiddley jobs
 Question 2
Two uses for fibre optics is communication and endoscopes
For each use answer these questions
4b Question 2a USE:comunication
Describe what it is replacing it is replacing old metal wires
which will delay watching telly or hearing it well

3c Question 2b
4c Show how this new technique is an improvement over existing
6b techniques. This new technique means it will be easier to use it will
6d also be more compact

4a Question 2c
5c Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this use for fibre
6d optics
it will allow people to connect to internet and phone connection
quickly they get really warm

5a Question 2d
What might the people using this technique think about it? Give
reasons to back up your ideas. Why good or bad?
They may think that this technique is good because the picture is
better and they will not be any breaks in signal it is bad because
you always have to have a cable in the box or telephone

6a Question 2e
6b Has the technique made an impact on life in other countries?

It has yes because we can talk to people in America without

interruption

Question 2
Two uses for fibre optics is communication and endoscopes
For each use answer these questions
4b Question 2a USE:endoscopes
Describe what it is replacing
bulky cameras

3c Question 2b
4c Show how this new technique is an improvement over existing
6b techniques.
6d
Doctors can see peoples insides easily it will also help people
swallow the camera

4a Question 2c
5c Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this use for fibre
6d optics

The people will be able to swallow the optic cable

Doctors will be able to see insides
People may not like the thought of swallowing a cable

5a Question 2d
What might the people using this technique think about it? Give
reasons to back up your ideas. Why good or bad?
 They may think this is good so that they don’t have to wait a long
time to been seen people would think it is bad because they will
have to swallow something

6a Question 2e
6b Has the technique made an impact on life in other countries?

i do not think it has made a difference in other countries

3 AF2
Understanding the applications and implications of science
To reach this level I could have:
a described some uses of fibre optics.
b stated that information can be carried from place to place using light reflections.
c explained that using light to carry speech when we use a telephone has improved
the quality of what we hear.
4 AF2
Understanding the applications and implications of science
To reach this level I could have:
a described some of the improvements that there have been in medicine due to the
development of fibre optics as well as any drawbacks, e.g. investment in new
technologies.
b explained that fibre optics are replacing copper wires.
c described the use of fibre optics to look inside people without cutting them open.
5 AF2
Understanding the applications and implications of science
To reach this level I could have:
a explained why healthcare staff like endoscopes, e.g. they are quick to use, but
some patients may be worried, e.g. having to swallow an endoscope.
b described how the development of endoscopes has affected doctors, e.g.
retraining, less surgical time needed; and patients, e.g. faster recovery, better to use in
parts of the world where infection is difficult to control.
c explained why the use of fibre optics has improved survival rate of operations, but
sometimes the use of an endoscope can cause its own complications.
d described how an understanding of total internal reflection helped scientists to
develop endoscopes.
6 AF2
Understanding the applications and implications of science
To reach this level I could have:
a described how fibre optics have made a significant impact in more developed
countries.
b explained how the installation of fibre optic cables affects the people living in those
countries, e.g. clearer phone calls, faster data transfer allowing faster trading; and the
companies that make the cables, e.g. making more profit.
c explained how the development of fibre optics has lead to developments in glass
making.
d described the benefits to patients of fibre optic investigations compared to invasive
surgery

Task 23 Bending light 2 – Level ladder

Task 23 Bending light