Understanding Characteristics of Light

Practice Questions - Understanding Characteristics of Light:

1) Question: What is reflection of light and how does it occur?
Answer: Reflection of light is the bouncing back of light rays from a surface. When light hits a smooth surface, such as a mirror, it reflects off at the same angle it hits the surface. This property of light allows us to see our reflection in mirrors and objects around us. Can you think of other examples where reflection of light is useful in daily life?

2) Question: Explain refraction of light and give an example of refraction in action.
Answer: Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, such as air to water or glass. This bending occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums. An example of refraction is the apparent bending of a pencil when placed in a glass of water. How does refraction play a role in the formation of rainbows?

3) Question: What is dispersion of light and how does it happen?
Answer: Dispersion is the splitting of white light into its component colors (rainbow colors) when passing through a prism. This happens because different colors of light have different wavelengths and hence, different speeds in the prism, causing them to separate. Can you explain why we see a rainbow in the sky after a rain shower?

4) Question: How does absorption of light affect the behavior of light?
Answer: Absorption of light occurs when an object takes in some or all of the light that shines on it. The absorbed light is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat. Different materials absorb light differently based on their properties. Think about how wearing dark-colored clothes on a sunny day can make you feel warmer compared to wearing light-colored clothes.

By understanding the characteristics of light like reflection, refraction, dispersion, and absorption, we can unravel the mysteries of how light interacts with the world around us. Keep exploring and observing the fascinating ways light behaves in our everyday lives!