Properties of Light Review

Charlotte and Luna are exploring the magical world of light! The arrows represent light rays. Can you help them figure out which table correctly describes what happens to the light as it strikes each cube?

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Absorption

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Reflection. When light rays strike a surface, they bounce back, which is the definition of reflection. Refraction involves bending of light, and absorption means light is taken in by the material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Imagine you're on a magical adventure with Samuel and Anika! Choose TWO scenarios where you might see the reflection of light on your journey.

• A fire glowing

• The surface of a pond of calm water

• Light is bent as it exits a prism

• Looking at a dull concrete wall

• The side of a shiny metal toaster

Answer explanation

The surface of a pond reflects light, creating a clear image of the surroundings. Similarly, the shiny metal toaster reflects light, giving it a glossy appearance. Both scenarios demonstrate the reflection of light.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Samuel and Isla are puzzled! They put a straw in a glass of water, and it looks like it's magically broken. Why does this happen?

• The light rays that travel through the water and into the air are reflected.

• The light rays are magnified.

• The light rays are absorbed by the water.

• The light rays that travel through the water and into the air are refracted.

Answer explanation

The straw appears broken due to refraction, which occurs when light rays travel from water to air, bending at the interface. This bending alters our perception, making the straw look displaced.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Join Zoe, Arjun, and Emma on a light adventure! The arrows represent light rays. Can you help them figure out which table correctly describes what happens to the light as it strikes each cube?

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Absorption

Answer explanation

The correct choice is refraction because light rays change direction when they pass through the cubes, indicating a bending of light due to a change in medium. Reflection would involve bouncing off, and absorption would mean the light is taken in.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Isla and Noah are having fun making shadow puppets on the wall. Isla notices that the shadow of her hands looks exactly like her hand shape. Why does this happen?

• light refracts through a lens.

• light reflects through her hands.

• light travels in a straight line.

• light can bend.

Answer explanation

The shadow has the same shape as the woman's hands because light travels in a straight line. This means that the outline of her hands blocks the light, creating a shadow that mimics their shape.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Abigail and Oliver are exploring the wonders of light! Look at the diagram below. Can you help them figure out if the light is being –

• reflected

• refracted

• absorbed

• transmitted

Answer explanation

The diagram shows light being reflected, which occurs when light bounces off a surface. This is different from refraction (bending), absorption (being taken in), or transmission (passing through).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Olivia and Noah are on a light adventure! The arrows represent light rays. Can you help them figure out which table correctly describes what happens to the light as it strikes each cube?

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Absorption

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Absorption because the light rays do not reflect or refract through the cubes, indicating that the light is absorbed by the material of the cubes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2