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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.
Fibre optics are long thin wires of pure glass or plastic. they are
similar in size to hair. The diagram shows fibre optic cables.

5d Question 1b
Describe how an understanding of total internal reflection has
helped scientists to develop endoscope and phones
 Question 2
Two uses for fibre optics is communication and endoscopes
For each use answer these questions
4b Question 2a USE:
Describe what it is replacing

Fibre optics are replacing copper wires and semi conductors.

3c Question 2b
4c Show how this new technique is an improvement over existing
6b techniques.
6d
As fibre optics makes broadband a lot faster and lose less
information to their destination

4a Question 2c
5c Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this use for fibre
6d optics
Advantages are that less information is lost and it is more clear
Disadvantages are that they are very expensive

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 might think that it is good as it is faster and clearer but

they could think that it is a bad idea as it is more expensive, so
there could be a mixed reaction.
6a Question 2e
6b Has the technique made an impact on life in other countries?

This is a mixed opinion as in poor countries they may not have it

but in rich/more advanced countries it will be a good impact as
they can still afford it and it will make life easier and tasks can be
done faster

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

Fibre optics are replacing semi-conductors and copper wires

3c Question 2b
4c Show how this new technique is an improvement over existing
6b techniques.
6d
It is a improvement as it costs less per channel and it has low bit
error rates.

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

Advantages are size and weight.

Disadvantages are components cost.

5a Question 2d
What might the people using this technique think about it? Give
reasons to back up your ideas. Why good or bad?

Good so who ever they are communicating with will find out what
they say or do very quickly

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

Yes for example if a baby is born in one country. The family can
get informed very quickly even if they are in another country so it
has an impact on lots of 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