Light Vocabulary

Which of the following describes the phenomenon where light bounces back from a surface at the same angle it hits it?

• Diffusion

• Absorption

• Refraction

• Reflection

Answer explanation

Reflection is the phenomenon where light bounces back from a surface at the same angle it hits it. This is distinct from diffusion, absorption, and refraction, which involve different interactions of light with surfaces.

What is a form of energy you can see?

• Electrical Energy

• Sound Energy

• Light Energy

• Mechanical Energy

Answer explanation

Light energy is the only form of energy that is visible to the human eye, allowing us to see colors and objects. In contrast, electrical, sound, and mechanical energy cannot be seen directly.

____________ is an energy transfer that happens by vibrations between electric fields and magnetic fields.

• Circuit

• Electromagnetic Waves

• Reflection

• Refraction

Answer explanation

Electromagnetic Waves are energy transfers that occur through the vibrations of electric and magnetic fields. This distinguishes them from other options like circuits, reflection, and refraction, which do not involve this specific energy transfer.

This image shows light being

• reflected.

• refracted.

• absorbed.

• moving in a straight line.

Answer explanation

The image shows light being refracted, which occurs when light passes through different mediums and bends. This is distinct from reflection, absorption, or traveling in a straight line.

What is the term for the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes through a medium with a different density?

• Refraction

• Reflection

• Scattering

• Diffusion

Answer explanation

The term for the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes through a medium with a different density is refraction. This occurs due to the change in speed of light in different materials.

_____________ is when something is soaked up into another thing or becomes a part of something else.

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Convex

• Absorbtion

Answer explanation

Absorption is the process where something is soaked up into another substance or becomes part of it. This definition aligns perfectly with the term 'absorption', making it the correct choice over the other options.

Which of the following is a type of electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye?

• Ultraviolet Light

• Infrared Light

• Visible Light

• Microwaves

Answer explanation

Visible Light is the only type of electromagnetic wave among the options that can be seen by the human eye. Ultraviolet Light, Infrared Light, and Microwaves are not visible to us.

A brick wall is opaque because

• no light can pass through it.

• light can easily pass through it.

• some light can pass through it.

• you can see through it.

What causes the boys shadow in this picture?

• The light is moving in a straight line from behind the boy and cannot move through the boy so there is a dark space in the path where the boy interrupts the light.

• The light is traveling from in front of the boy and the boy is reflecting it back as a dark spot.

• The boy is facing the sun so the light does not go where he is looking.

• The light is scattering through and around the boy turning it into dark light.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that light travels in straight lines. When the boy stands in the path of the light coming from behind him, he blocks it, creating a shadow where the light cannot reach.

____________ happens when light energy bounces off the surface of something.

• Refraction

• Radiation

• Transparent

• Reflection

Answer explanation

Reflection occurs when light energy bounces off a surface, allowing us to see objects. This is different from refraction, which involves bending light, and radiation, which refers to energy emission.