PHYSICAL SCIENCE REVIEW

Samuel and Verdell were setting up a science experiment. They used a flat, smooth surface that reflects light to form an image. What is this surface called?

• plane mirror

• concave mirror

• convex mirror

Answer explanation

A plane mirror is a flat, smooth surface that reflects light uniformly, forming a clear image. In contrast, concave and convex mirrors distort images due to their curved shapes.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Kayla is having trouble seeing things up close, but she can see distant objects clearly. What type of lens should she use to correct her vision?

• flat lens

• convex lens

• concave lens

• plane lens

Answer explanation

A convex lens is used to correct farsightedness (hyperopia) by converging light rays before they enter the eye, allowing the image to focus correctly on the retina.

Kayla and Marlee are setting up a science experiment to study light reflection. They use a mirror to focus light from a bulb as shown in the figure below. Which type of mirror are they using?

• concave lens

• convex lens

• concave mirror

• convex mirror

Answer explanation

The figure shows a concave mirror, which converges light rays to a focal point. This type of mirror is used in applications like makeup mirrors and telescopes, distinguishing it from convex mirrors that diverge light.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Lilah and Kayla are setting up a projector for a movie night. They notice that the projector uses lenses. What do lenses do?

• reflect light

• refract light

• diffract light

• interfere with light

Answer explanation

Lenses refract light, bending it as it passes through. This property allows lenses to focus or disperse light, which is essential in applications like glasses and cameras.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Kendra was experimenting with a lens and noticed that the image of a candle moved away from the focal point. How did Kendra change the position of the candle?

• The candle moved closer to the lens.

• The candle moved farther to the lens.

• The candle remains at its position

Answer explanation

As the image of the candle moves away from the focal point, it indicates that the candle itself must have moved closer to the lens. This is because the lens focuses light differently based on the object's distance.

Grant and Rayne are standing in front of a plane mirror. Which of the following describes the image they see of themselves in the mirror?

• enlarged

• virtual

• inverted

• real

Answer explanation

The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual because it cannot be projected on a screen. It appears upright and the same size as the object, but it is not inverted or real.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Kendra and Grant are conducting an experiment with a flashlight and a mirror. They want to know what happens to a light ray that travels parallel to the optical axis and then is reflected by the mirror. Which of the following describes the behavior of the light ray?

• It forms a real image.

• It is reflected back through the focal point.

• It is reflected back toward the point of origin.

• It is reflected down and behind the mirror.

Answer explanation

A light ray traveling parallel to the optical axis reflects off a mirror and passes through the focal point. This is a key property of concave mirrors, confirming that the correct choice is 'It is reflected back through the focal point.'

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Blair and Verdell are experimenting with a curved mirror in their science class. If the mirror becomes more curved and the focal point moves closer to the mirror, which best describes the reflection of the parallel rays shown in the figure?

• They pass through the new focal point.

• They do not pass through either the old or the new focal point.

• They pass through the old focal point.

• They reverse direction.

Answer explanation

As the mirror becomes more curved, the focal point shifts closer. Parallel rays reflecting off the mirror will converge at this new focal point, meaning they pass through the new focal point.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Emma is conducting an experiment with a concave mirror in her physics class. She notices that the image of an object placed in front of the mirror is inverted. How far is the object from the mirror?

• at least two focal lengths

• exactly one focal length

• less than one focal length

• more than one focal length

Answer explanation

For a concave mirror, an inverted image is formed when the object is placed beyond one focal length. Therefore, the correct answer is 'more than one focal length'.

Grant and Lilah are setting up a reflecting telescope for their astronomy club. The eyepiece of the telescope contains

• a convex lens

• a concave lens

• a concave mirror

• a convex mirror

Answer explanation

The eyepiece of a reflecting telescope uses a convex lens to magnify the image formed by the primary mirror. This allows for clearer viewing of distant objects, making 'a convex lens' the correct choice.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2