Wave Behaviors

Front

What is reflection in terms of light behavior?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of light waves when they hit a surface. For example, you see your image in a mirror because light reflects off the mirror's surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass from one medium to another, such as from air into water. This bending causes objects to appear distorted or shifted.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the spreading out of light waves when they pass through a narrow opening or around obstacles. It can create patterns of light and dark.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is absorption in the context of light?

Back

Absorption is when light waves are taken in by a material, converting the light energy into heat. For example, dark clothes absorb more sunlight and feel warmer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What does it mean for a material to be transparent?

Back

A transparent material allows light to pass through it without significant scattering. Clear glass is an example of a transparent material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What does it mean for a material to be translucent?

Back

A translucent material allows some light to pass through but scatters it, making objects behind it appear blurry. Frosted glass is an example.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What does it mean for a material to be opaque?

Back

An opaque material does not allow any light to pass through it. Wood and metal are examples of opaque materials.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is the role of a prism in light behavior?

Back

A prism refracts light, causing it to separate into its component colors, creating a spectrum. This is how we see a rainbow of colors from white light.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What is the difference between reflection and refraction?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of light, while refraction is the bending of light as it passes through different materials.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

How does light behave when it hits a smooth surface?

Back

When light hits a smooth surface, it reflects in a predictable manner, allowing us to see clear images, like in a mirror.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2