Light Interactions

Electromagnetic energy travels in waves. When we describe electromagnetic waves, we often talk about the wave’s length and frequency. Which of these statements accurately describes the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of an electromagnetic wave?

• If wavelength increases, frequency increases.
• If frequency decreases, wavelength increases.
• If frequency remains constant, wavelength increases.
• If wavelength remains constant, frequency increases.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Latif wakes up one morning and sees that it is foggy outside. Which term best describes the fog he sees?

• opaque
• reflective
• translucent
• transparent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Heather puts a straw into a glass of water. She notices that the straw appears to be broken when she looks through the glass and the water from the side. Which term bestexplains why the straw looks like it is broken?

• absorption
• refraction
• scattering
• transmission

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

During a thunderstorm, Sanjay saw lightning and then heard thunder 5 s later. Why does he see the lightning before he hears the thunder?

• He would have seen the lightning and heard the thunder at the same time.
• Sound travels faster than light.
• Light travels faster than sound.
• There is no reason.

A dolphin makes a noise underwater that is too high-pitched for humans to hear. What type of wave is this?

• water 
• electromagnetic
• mechanical
• microwave

In which of these situations would light slow down?

• from glass to air
• from ice to water
• from plastic to air
• from a vacuum to air

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which of the following is NOT a cause of a wave changing direction?

• Reflection
• Refraction
• Radiation
• Diffraction

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Light waves are mechanical waves.

• True
• False

Refraction causes waves to bounce back off of an object.

• True
• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

When light waves are absorbed, they can become heat.

• True
• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2