Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption

When light waves bounce off a surface we call this:

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Absorption

Answer explanation

When light waves bounce off a surface, this process is known as reflection. In contrast, refraction involves bending of light, and absorption refers to light being taken in by a material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

When light waves bend as they pass through a transparent medium we call this:

• Refraction

• Reflection

• Absorption

Answer explanation

When light waves pass through a transparent medium and change direction, this phenomenon is called refraction. It occurs due to the change in speed of light in different media.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

When light waves are captured in matter and transferred to a new form of energy we call this:

• Absorption

• Reflection

• Refraction

Answer explanation

When light waves are captured by matter, they are converted into a different form of energy, which is known as absorption. This process differs from reflection and refraction, which involve the light changing direction without being absorbed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Why does the straw appear to be bent?

• light is reflected

• light is absorbed

• light is turned

• light is refracted

Answer explanation

The straw appears bent due to refraction, which occurs when light passes from air into water, changing its speed and direction. This bending of light makes the straw look displaced at the water's surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What do we call a material that light can travel through?

• air

• water

• medium

• pathway

Answer explanation

A material that allows light to travel through is called a medium. Both air and water are examples of mediums, but the term 'medium' is the most general and correct answer for this question.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What is a repeating disturbance or vibration that transfers or moves energy from place to place?  

• Medium

• Wave

• Compression

• Rarefaction

Answer explanation

A wave is a repeating disturbance that transfers energy through a medium. It can be mechanical, like sound waves, or electromagnetic, like light waves. Thus, the correct answer is 'Wave'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

The illustration shows a light ray striking an object.
In the illustration, the light ray striking the object is-

• absorbed

• stopped

• reflected

• refracted

Answer explanation

The light ray striking the object is reflected, meaning it bounces off the surface rather than being absorbed, stopped, or refracted. Reflection is a common behavior of light when it encounters a surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Why does the lower part of the child appear so much different in size from the upper part?

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

• The light rays that travel through water and then into air are enlarged.

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

• The light rays that travel through air and then into water are reduced.

Answer explanation

The lower part of the child appears different in size due to refraction. When light rays travel from water to air, they bend, causing objects underwater to look distorted and smaller than they actually are.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What is the angle of reflection equal to?

• The angle of refraction

• The angle of incidence

• The angle of absorption

• The angle of light

Answer explanation

The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, as stated by the law of reflection. This means that when light reflects off a surface, the angle at which it hits the surface is the same as the angle at which it leaves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What might explain why light travels in a straight line?

• If there is nothing to interfere with light waves, they should travel in a straight line.

• Light waves will always travel in a straight line, even if they come into contact with another object.

• Light waves don't travel in a straight line.

• Light waves travel in a straight line because sound waves travel in a straight line.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that if there is nothing to interfere with light waves, they should travel in a straight line. This aligns with the principle of light propagation in a vacuum, where it moves in straight paths unless obstructed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2