Waves Prior Knowledge Quiz

In an activity, a student floats a toy boat in an aquarium. What causes the part of the boat's hull that is underwater to appear larger than the part just above the water line?

• Reflection

• Absorption

• Conduction

• Refraction

Students classify objects by the properties of reflection and refraction. Which is a list of objects that best reflect light?

• Prism, water, camera

• Water, cardboard, clear container

• Foil, shiny pan, mirror

• Mirror, wood, water

Describe the difference between reflection and refraction by completing the sentence. Write the correct answer in each box. Not all answers will be used. Light ​ ​ (a)   ​ when it is reflected and ​ (b)   when it is refracted.

• bounces off
• bends
• stops
• decreases
• stops

What happens when light strikes a dark, heavy object?

• Light is refracted

• The light moves quickly through the medium

• Light energy is absorbed

• Light does not strike dark objects

Which of the following objects do NOT reflect light?

Select TWO answers.

• Bathroom mirror

• White car

• Black shirt

• Wooden block

• Copper penny

What is shown in the image below?

• The force needed to push a swing

• The path light takes when it is refracted

• The flow of an electrical current

• The path light takes when it is reflected

Students performed an investigation testing refraction of objects in water. First, they recorded how objects looked in hot water. Then they used cold water to test if the appearance changed. What variable did students test in this investigation?

• The student who performed the investigation

• The time of day the investigation was performed

• The temperature of the water

• The objects tested

Sometimes it is possible to see light rays. An example is when sunlight breaks through the clouds. Sunlight breaking through the clouds demonstrates how light rays travel in -

• curved rays

• straight line

• zigzag rays

• circular waves

Students perform an investigation to compare and contrast the effects of reflection and refraction. What tools are most helpful to students when exploring refraction?

Select TWO correct answers.

• Magnet

• Prism

• Hand lens

• Mirror

• Spring scale

Bifocals were invented in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin. He invented bifocals to make it easier to see both up close and far away. Bifocal eyeglasses have two different lenses. One lens helps people to see at a distance, and the other is for seeing up close. Why can people who are both nearsighted and farsighted see better though bifocals?

• The bifocal lenses reflect light

• The bifocal lenses refract light

• The bifocal lenses make light less visible

• The bifocal lenses absorb light.