S8P4de. Light Wave Behaviors

Which of the following correctly compares reflection and refraction?

• Reflection occurs when a wave bends as it enters a new medium, while refraction occurs when a wave bounces off a surface.

• Reflection occurs when a wave bounces off a surface, while refraction occurs when a wave bends as it enters a new medium.

• Both reflection and refraction occur when light waves are absorbed by a material.

• Reflection and refraction both involve the wave traveling through a new medium.

Answer explanation

Reflection involves bouncing off a surface, while refraction involves bending due to a change in medium.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

A student shines a flashlight through a glass block. Which of the following correctly describes what happens to the light?

• The light is completely reflected off the surface of the glass.

• The light slows down and bends as it passes through the glass.

• The light speeds up and travels in a straight line through the glass.

• The light is absorbed entirely by the glass.

Answer explanation

Light slows down and bends due to the higher density of glass compared to air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Arrange the following materials in order from least to most light transmitted:

- Clear glass

- Wax paper

- Aluminum foil

• Clear glass → Wax paper → Aluminum foil

• Aluminum foil → Wax paper → Clear glass

• Wax paper → Clear glass → Aluminum foil

• Aluminum foil → Clear glass → Wax paper

Answer explanation

Transparent materials (clear glass) allow the most transmission, translucent materials (wax paper) allow partial transmission, and opaque materials (aluminum foil) block light entirely.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

The diagram below shows a wave changing speed as it moves from air to water. What happens to the wave's speed and direction?

• The wave slows down and bends toward the normal.

• The wave slows down and bends away from the normal.

• The wave speeds up and bends toward the normal.

• The wave speeds up and continues straight.

Answer explanation

Water is denser than air, causing the wave to slow down and bend toward the normal.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Based on this data, which of the following conclusions is correct?

• A) Light travels fastest in the most dense materials.

• B) Light travels slowest in materials with the highest density.

• C) Light speed is not affected by the density of a material.

• D) Light speeds up as it moves from air to denser materials.

Answer explanation

As material density increases, light slows down due to increased interactions with particles in the medium.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Which of the following best describes diffraction?

• The bending of a wave as it passes through a new medium.

• The spreading out of a wave after it passes through a narrow opening.

• The complete absorption of a wave into a material.

• The reflection of a wave off a smooth surface.

Answer explanation

Diffraction occurs when a wave spreads out after passing through a small opening or around an obstacle.

Sophia investigates how the density of a medium affects the speed of a wave. She collects the following data: Which conclusion is best supported by the data?

• A) Waves travel faster in denser media.

• B) Wave speed is not affected by medium density.

• C) Waves travel slowest in denser materials.

• D) Waves travel at the same speed in all media.

Answer explanation

The data shows that as density increases, wave speed increases, indicating a direct relationship.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What happens to light when it strikes a black, rough surface?

• It is mostly reflected.

• It is mostly absorbed.

• It is mostly transmitted.

• It is completely refracted.

Answer explanation

Dark, rough surfaces absorb most of the light energy rather than reflecting or transmitting it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which of the following best explains why we see a red apple as red?

• The apple absorbs red light and reflects all other colors.

• The apple transmits red light and absorbs all other colors.

• The apple reflects red light and absorbs all other colors.

• The apple refracts red light and transmits all other colors.

Answer explanation

The apple reflects red wavelengths and absorbs all others, making it appear red.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What happens as the light moves into the air?

• The light continues in a straight line.

• The light bends away from the normal.

• The light bends towards the normal.

• The light is absorbed by the water.

Answer explanation

Light moves faster in air than in water because air is less dense than water, causing it to bend away from the normal.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2