Reflection and Refraction Quiz

Which best describes reflection and refraction?

• In both reflection and refraction, rays pass through a boundary.

• In both reflection and refraction, rays bounce off a boundary.

• In reflection, rays bounce off a boundary, and in refraction, rays pass through a boundary.

• In refraction, rays bounce off a boundary, and in reflection, rays pass through a boundary.

Serena draws the diagram above to compare what happens when rays hit a boundary and are either reflected or refracted. Which labels belong in the areas marked X, Y, and Z?

• X: ray bounces off a boundary and maintains constant speed Y: ray changes direction Z: ray passes through a boundary and changes speed

• X: ray bounces off a boundary and changes speed Y: ray changes direction Z: ray passes through a boundary and maintains constant speed

• X: ray bounces off a boundary and changes direction Y: ray maintains constant speed Z: ray passes through a boundary and does not change direction

• X: ray bounces off a boundary and does not change direction Y: ray maintains constant speed Z: ray passes through a boundary and changes direction

Which statement describes how rays behave when they travel through media during reflection and refraction?

• During refraction, rays stay in the original medium, and during reflection, rays pass into a new medium.

• During reflection, rays stay in the original medium, and during refraction, rays pass into a new medium.

• During reflection and refraction, rays stay in the original medium.

• During reflection and refraction, rays pass into a new medium.

Which best explains why the diagram shows refraction but not reflection?

• A. It shows an incident ray.

• B. It shows that the ray is changing direction.

• C. It shows the ray passing through the boundary.

• D. It shows that angles form between the rays and the normal.

Light strikes a smooth wooden tabletop. What happens to the light after it is reflected?

• The light rays bounce off the table and all move in the same direction.

• The light rays bounce off the table and move in different directions.

• The light rays pass through the table and all move in the same direction.

• The light rays pass through the table and move in different directions.

A ray of light strikes a smooth surface and is reflected. The angle of incidence is 35°. What can be predicted about the angle of reflection?

• Rays will bounce in all directions, so the angle of reflection will be random.

• Rays will bounce in all directions, so the angle of reflection will be less than 35°.

• Rays will follow the law of reflection, so the angle of reflection will be 35°.

• Rays will follow the law of reflection, so the angle of reflection will be random.

Which formula represents Snell’s law?

• n₁ + sinθ₁ = n₂ + sinθ₂

• n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂

• n₁cosθ₁ = n₂cosθ₂

• n₁ + cosθ₁ = n₂ + cosθ₂

A ray diagram for a refracted light ray is shown. What does the dashed line represent?

• medium

• boundary

• normal

• incident ray

What does the letter X represent?

• angle of incidence

• angle of reflection

• normal

• medium

Which statement best describes the diagram?

• The diagram shows refraction, and medium 1 is denser than medium 2.

• The diagram shows refraction, and medium 1 is less dense than medium 2.

• The diagram shows reflection, and medium 1 is less dense than medium 2.

• The diagram shows reflection, and medium 1 is denser than medium 2.