Introduction to Rays

Introduction to Rays

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.

1. Which of the following best describes a light ray?

2. What phenomenon is depicted when light bends as it passes from air into water?

1. The law of   states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

2. When light passes through a prism, it disperses into its constituent colors, a phenomenon known as  .

1. All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum.

2. The angle of refraction is always greater than the angle of incidence when light enters a denser medium.

1. Explain the difference between specular and diffuse reflection, providing an example of each.

2. State Snell's Law and explain what each variable represents.

Observe the diagram below showing light passing through a prism and answer the question.

1. What is the phenomenon observed when white light passes through the prism and separates into different colors?

A light ray travels from air into a block of glass. If the angle of incidence is 45 degrees and the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction? (Use Snell's Law: n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂)