HUNTLEY HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

INVITATIONAL - FEBRUARY 4, 2017

School Name:__________________________________

School Number:___________

Students:______________________________________

OPTICS TEST QUESTIONS

Use this Figure for the following question

Transfer all sketches to

the diagrams on the
answer sheet.

Only the answer sheet

will be graded.

1. The triangular prism shown above has index of refraction 1.5 angles of 37°, 53° and
90°. The shortest side of the prism is set on a horizontal table. A beam of light,
initially horizontal, is incident on the prism from the left.
a. On the figure above, sketch the path of the beam as it passes through and emerges
from the prism.
b. Determine the angle with respect to the horizontal (angle of deviation) of the beam
as it emerges from the prism.
c. The prism is replaced by a new prism of the same shape, which is set in the same
position. The beam experiences total internal reflection at the right surface of the
prism. What is the minimum possible index of refraction of this prism?
d. If the beam of light were replaced by two monochromatic beams, one red and one
blue, sketch on the diagram below, the beams as they emerge from the prism.
Explain.

1
2. Cyan light is shined on an American flag in a darkened room. What colors will the flag appear?
Explain.
3. If the cyan light is shown through a yellow filter and then again shined on the American flag, then
what colors will the flag appear? Explain.
4. A singer performing on stage is wearing a blue suit with a yellow scarf. If the following lights are
shined on the performer, what colors will the audience see?
a. Red: d. Blue:
b. Yellow: e. Cyan:
c. Green: f. Magenta:
5. A criminal was sending police taunting letters. All of the letters were written in blood-red ink
ostensibly for nefarious effect. One suspect has been apprehended and a red pen was taken into
custody. The police lab ran chromatography on the suspect’s pen and two others. Based on the
results shown below:
First identify the color of ink that was run on each chromatography strip.
Second, identify the chromatography strip that most likely represents the sample from the suspect’s
pen.

Cyan

Magenta

Yellow

Sample A Sample B Sample C

Use the following diagram to answer the questions below.
A

E
F
D
C

G
2
6. This structure may change its anterior to posterior dimension when needed.
7. This structure consists of the axons of ganglion cells.
8. This structure is capable of constriction and dilation.
9. This structure houses the photoreceptors of the eye.
10. This structure is used to focus the light entering the eye
11. This structure’s main purpose is to control the thickness of the lens.
12. This structure is a continuation of the sclera.
13. When contracted, this structure will cause the lens to become thinner.
14. If the ciliary body contracts, then the zonular fibers are __________ and that will cause the
(15) __________ to (16) __________.

Show how light would focus in the uncorrected eyes below.

TRANSFER DRAWINGS TO ANSWER SHEET. ONLY THE ANSWER SHEET IS GRADED.

17. Myopia 18. Hyperopia

What type of lens would correct each condition?

19. Myopia requires a __________ lens.
20. Hyperopia requires a __________ lens.

21. The index of refraction of diamond is 2.42 and the index of refraction of water is 1.33. By what
factor is light traveling slower in the diamond than in the water?

22. A dentist uses a curved mirror to view the backside of teeth in the upper jaw. Suppose she wants
an upright image with a magnification of 1.5 when the mirror is 1.2 cm from a tooth. Should she use
a convex or concave mirror? What focal length should the mirror have?

23. An object is 40 cm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 20 cm. Use ray tracing to
locate the image. Provide a full image description (real vs. virtual) (erect vs. inverted) and image
magnification.

24. A light bulb is 3.0 m from a wall. What are the focal length and position (measured from the
bulb) of the lens that will form an image on the wall that is twice the size of the light bulb?