Light and Matter

Front

What is Reflection?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of light waves when they hit a surface that they cannot pass through.

Front

What type of wave requires a medium to travel?

Back

Sound waves require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel.

Front

What do light and sound waves transfer?

Back

Light and sound waves transfer energy but not matter.

Front

What type of wave can reach Earth's surface from a supernova explosion?

Back

Only light waves can reach Earth's surface from a supernova explosion.

Front

What is Absorption in terms of light?

Back

Absorption is when light waves are taken in by a material and converted to other forms of energy, like heat.

Front

What is Refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light waves as they pass from one medium to another, changing speed.

Front

What is a Translucent material?

Back

A translucent material allows some light to pass through but scatters it, so objects behind it are not clearly visible.

Front

What is the difference between Reflection and Refraction?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing back of light, while refraction is the bending of light as it passes through different materials.

Front

What is a wave?

Back

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Front

What is the speed of light?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).