Behaviors of Light

In which of the following phenomena can diffraction of light be observed?

• rainbows

• shadows

• blue sky

• white clouds

Which of the following refers to the separation of white light into its component colors when it is refracted?

• diffraction

• scattering

• dispersion

• interference

Which of the following must occur to produce a wave that has the same wavelength but twice the amplitude of the two waves that meet?

• Constructive interference where identical parts of two different waves meet.

• Constructive interference should occur where opposite parts of two different waves meet.

• Destructive interference should occur where opposite parts of two different waves meet.

• Destructive interference should occur where identical parts of two different waves meet.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the amount of diffraction and size of the obstacle?

• The larger the size of the obstacle, the greater is the diffraction.

• The size of the obstacle does not affect the amount of diffraction.

• The amount of diffraction depends only on the wavelength of light.

• The smaller the size of the obstacle, the greater is the diffraction.

Which of the following best explain why clouds are white?

I. The water droplets in the clouds are larger than the wavelength of light.

II. The water droplets in the clouds are smaller than the wavelength of light.

III. Only white light is scattered by the water droplets; thus, we see white light.

IV. All the components of light are scattered equally by the water droplets; thus, we see white light.

• I and II

• I and III

• II and IV

• I and IV