Behavior of Waves

What happens when a wave bounces off a surface that it cannot pass through?

• It is absorbed

• It is reflected

• It is refracted

• It is transmitted

Reflection does not change the _______ or frequency of a wave, but the wave can be flipped upside down.

• speed

• wavelength

• amplitude

• direction

Which of the following is an example of reflection?

• Ball thrown against a wall

• Mirror

• Reflection in a pool of water

A mirror is an example of reflection because it:

• absorbs light

• refracts light

• reflects light

• emits light

The reflection observed in a pool of water is:

• a clear and sharp image

• a distorted and wavy image

• no reflection at all

• a reflection only during the day

What is refraction? The bending of a wave as it enters a _______ at an angle.

• new medium

• vacuum

• solid object

• same medium

Why does refraction occur?

• Because light travels at different speeds in different media

• Because light travels in a straight line

• Because light is absorbed by different media

• Because light is reflected by surfaces

A fish in the water is an example of:

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Diffraction

• Dispersion

Describe how a straw in a glass of water demonstrates refraction.

• A straw appears bent at the water's surface due to refraction.

• A straw appears straight in water due to refraction.

• A straw appears shorter in water due to refraction.

• A straw appears longer in water due to refraction.

Light passing through a prism illustrates the concept of refraction by:

• bending the light towards the normal

• splitting the light into its component colors

• reflecting the light back

• absorbing the light