Chapter Questions
Which phenomenon is associated only with transverse waves?(A) interference(B) dispersion(C) refraction(D) polarization
Which characterizes a polarized wave?(A) transverse and vibrating in one plane(B) transverse and vibrating in all directions(C) circular and vibrating at random(D) longitudinal and vibrating at random
A longitudinal wave cannot be(A) polarized(B) diffracted(C) refracted(D) reflected
If the electromagnetic waves received on Earth from a source in outer space appear to be increasing in frequency, the distance between the source and the Earth is probably(A) decreasing(B) increasing(C) remaining the same
A star recedes rapidly from the Earth. The frequencies observed from the Earth compared to the frequencies of light emitted by the star are(A) lower(B) higher(C) the same
The wavelength of a spectral line emitted from a distant star is shifted toward a longer wavelength. The star is assumed to be(A) stationary relative to the Earth(B) moving in a circle around the Earth(C) moving away from the Earth(D) approaching the Earth
Which electromagnetic wave has the highest frequency? (A) radio(B) infrared(C) X-ray(D) visible
Which electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength shorter than that of visible light?(A) ultraviolet waves(B) infrared waves(C) radio waves(D) microwaves
Which is not in the electromagnetic spectrum?(A) light waves(B) radio waves(C) sound waves(D) X-rays
Which of the following electromagnetic waves has the lowest frequency? (A) violet light(B) green light(C) yellow light(D) red light
In a vacuum, the wavelength of ultraviolet light is greater than that of(A) X-rays(B) radio waves(C) blue light(D) infrared light
In a vacuum, light waves and radio waves have the same(A) frequency(B) period(C) speed(D) wavelength
If the frequency of a light wave in a vacuum is increased, its wavelength (A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
Light of frequency $5.0 \times 10^{14}$ hertz has a wavelength of $4.0 \times 10^{-7}$ meter while traveling in a certain material. The speed of light in the material is(A) $1.3 \times 10^{7} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $2.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $1.3 \times 10^{21} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
What is the wavelength of X-rays with a frequency of $1.5 \times 10^{18}$ hertz traveling in a vacuum?(A) $4.5 \times 10^{26} \mathrm{~m}$(B) $2.0 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{~m}$(C) $5.0 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{~m}$(D) $5.0 \times 10^{9} \mathrm{~m}$
What is the color of a light wave with a frequency of $5.65 \times 10^{14}$ hertz? (A) red(B) yellow(C) green(D) blue
Which formula represents a constant for light waves of different frequencies in a vacuum?
A light beam from Earth is reflected by an object in space. If the round trip takes $2.0$ seconds, then the distance of the object from Earth is (A) $6.7 \times 10^{7} \mathrm{~m}$(B) $1.5 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$(C) $3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$(D) $6.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$
Which set of electromagnetic radiations is arranged in order of increasing frequency?(A) radio, ultraviolet, visible, gamma(B) gamma, radio, visible, ultraviolet(C) radio, visible, ultraviolet, gamma(D) visible, ultraviolet, gamma, radio
The time required for light to travel a distance of $1.5 \times 10^{11}$ meters is closest to(A) $5.0 \times 10^{2} \mathrm{~s}$(B) $2.0 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{~s}$(C) $5.0 \times 10^{-1} \mathrm{~s}$(D) $4.5 \times 10^{19} \mathrm{~s}$
The observed color of light depends on the light's (A) speed(B) amplitude(C) intensity(D) frequency
An observer at point $O$ sees the reflected light ray as shown in the diagram below. The image of point $P$ that the observer sees is located at(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
The diagram below shows two rays of light striking a plane mirror.Which diagram below best represents the reflected rays?
Which property of light is illustrated by the diagram below? (A) diffraction(B) dispersion(C) refraction(D) reflection
Which phenomenon of light is illustrated by the diagram below? (A) refraction(B) dispersion(C) regular reflection(D) diffuse reflection
Which diagram below best represents the image of the object formed by the plane mirror in the diagram below?
Which graph best represents the relationship between the image size and the object size for an object reflected in a plane mirror?
The diagram below shows a light ray being reflected from a plane mirror. What is the angle of reflection? (A) $90^{\circ}$(B) $80^{\circ}$(C) $50^{\circ}$(D) $40^{\circ}$
When a light wave enters a new medium and is refracted, there must be a change in the light wave's(A) color(B) frequency(C) period(D) speed
The speed of light in a piece of plastic is $2.00 \times 10^{8}$ meters per second. What is the absolute index of refraction of this plastic?(A) $1.00$(B) $0.670$(C) $1.33$(D) $1.50$
When a ray of light strikes a mirror perpendicularly to its surface, the angle of reflection is(A) $0^{\circ}$(B) $45^{\circ}$(C) $60^{\circ}$(D) $90^{\circ}$
If an observer at point $O$ looks at the mirror, $M$, fixed in position as shown in the diagram below, which point will be seen?(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
When a light ray is reflected from a surface, the ratio of the angle of incidence to the angle of reflection is(A) less than 1(B) greater than 1(C) equal to 1
A light ray is incident upon a plane mirror. As the angle of incidence increases, the angle between the incident ray and the mirror's surface(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
As a person approaches a plane mirror, the size of his or her image(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
A ray of light $\left(f=5.09 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~Hz}\right)$ traveling in air strikes a block of sodium chloride at an angle of incidence of $30 .^{\circ} .$ What is the angle of refraction for the light ray in the sodium chloride?(A) $19^{\circ}$(B) $25^{\circ}$(C) $40 .^{\circ}$(D) $49^{\circ}$
The speed of a ray of light traveling through a substance having an absolute index of refraction of $1.1$ is(A) $1.1 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $2.7 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $3.3 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
Which diagram best represents the behavior of a ray of monochromatic light in air incident on a block of crown glass?
As yellow light $\left(f=5.09 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~Hz}\right)$ travels from zircon into diamond, the speed of the light(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
A beam of monochromatic light approaches a barrier having four openings, $A, B, C$, and $D$, of different sizes as shown below. Which opening will cause the greatest diffraction?(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
Light demonstrates the characteristics of (A) particles, only(B) waves, only(C) both particles and waves(D) neither particles nor waves
A ringing bell is located in a chamber. When the air is removed from the chamber, why can the bell be seen vibrating but not be heard?(A) Light waves can travel through a vacuum, but sound waves cannot.(B) Sound waves have greater amplitude than light waves.(C) Light waves travel slower than sound waves.(D) Sound waves have higher frequency than light waves.
A straight glass rod appears to bend when placed in a beaker of water, as shown in the diagram below. What is the best explanation for this phenomenon?(A) The water is warmer than the air.(B) Light travels faster in water than in air.(C) Light is reflected at the air-water interface.(D) Light is refracted as it crosses the air-water interface.
What happens to the speed and frequency of a light ray when it passes from air into water?(A) The speed decreases and the frequency increases.(B) The speed decreases and the frequency remains the same.(C) The speed increases and the frequency increases.(D) The speed increases and the frequency remains the same.
Parallel wave fronts incident on an opening in a barrier are diffracted. For which combination of wavelength and size of opening will diffraction effects be greatest?(A) short wavelength and narrow opening(B) short wavelength and wide opening(C) long wavelength and narrow opening(D) long wavelength and wide opening
What is the wavelength of a light ray with frequency $5.09 \times 10^{14}$ hertz as it travels through Lucite?(A) $3.93 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}$(B) $5.89 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}$(C) $3.39 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~m}$(D) $7.64 \times 10^{14} \mathrm{~m}$
A person observes a fireworks display from a safe distance of 0.750 kilometer. Assuming that sound travels at $340 .$ meters per second in air, what is the time between the person seeing and hearing a fireworks explosion?(A) $0.453 \mathrm{~s}$(B) $2.21 \mathrm{~s}$(C) $410 . \mathrm{s}$(D) $2.55 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{~s}$
Electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of $1.3 \times 10^{-7}$ meter would be classified as(A) infrared(B) orange(C) blue(D) ultraviolet
Which diagram best represents the path taken by a ray of monochromatic light as it passes from air through the materials shown?
What is the speed of a ray of light $\left(f=5.09 \times 10^{14}\right.$ hertz) traveling through a block of sodium chloride?(A) $1.54 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $1.95 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $3.00 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $4.62 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
Compared to the speed of microwaves in a vacuum, the speed of $x$-rays in a vacuum is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
Which ray diagram illustrates refraction?
The diagram below shows light ray $R$ entering air from water. Through which point is the ray most likely to pass?(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
The ray $R$ of monochromatic yellow light shown in the diagram is incident upon a glass surface at an angle of $\theta$.Which resulting ray is not possible?(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
Light travels from medium $A$, where its speed is $2.5 \times 10^{8}$ meters per second, into medium $B$, where its speed is $2.0 \times 10^{8}$ meters per second. Compared to the absolute index of refraction of medium $A$, the absolute index of refraction of medium $B$ is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
If the speed of light in a medium is $1.5 \times 10^{8}$ meters per second, the index of refraction of the medium is(A) $0.5$(B) $2.0$(C) $0.67$(D) $1.5$
The diagram shows a transparent cube made of a substance that has an index of refraction $(n)$ of $1.73$ in air. If a ray of light strikes a side of the cube with an angle of incidence of $60^{\circ}$, the angle of refraction will be(A) smaller than $30^{\circ}$(B) $30^{\circ}$(C) $45^{\circ}$(D) greater than $45^{\circ}$
Which graph best shows the relationship between the sine of the angle of incidence (sin $i$ ) and the sine of the angle of refraction (sin $r$ ) for light moving from air to water?
As a light wave passes from Lucite into flint glass, the frequency of the wave will(A) decrease(B) increase(C) remain the same
For a given medium, the index of refraction $(n)$ for a given light wave is equal to
What is the approximate speed of light in water?(A) $4.4 \times 10^{7} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $2.3 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $4.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
If the angle of refraction in air is $45^{\circ}$, what is the sine of the angle of incidence in water?(A) $0.53$(B) $0.71$(C) $0.94$(D) $1.33$
Which line best represents the incident ray in the air?(A) $A E$(B) $B E$(C) $C E$(D) $D E$
What is the sine of the critical angle for light passing from water into air?(A) $0.50$(B) $0.75$(C) $0.87$(D) $1.33$
Compared to the speed of light in water, the speed of light in medium $X$ is(A) lower(B) higher(C) the same
Ray EFG would be a straight line if the index of refraction for medium $X$ were (A) less than $1.33$(B) greater than $1.33$(C) equal to $1.33$
If layers $B$ and $C$ both have the same index of refraction, in which direction will the light ray travel after reaching the boundary between layers $B$ and $C$ ?(A) $W$(B) $X$(C) $Y$(D) $Z$
If angle $E$ is $60^{\circ}$ and layer $A$ has an index of refraction of $1.61$, the sine of angle $F$ will be closest to(A) $1.00$(B) $0.866$(C) $0.538$(D) $0.400$
If angle $E$ were increased, angle $F$ would(A) decrease(B) increase(C) remain the same
Compared to the apparent speed of light in layer $A$, the apparent speed of light in layer $B$ is(A) greater(B) the same(C) less
As the index of refraction of an alcohol-water mixture increases, the critical angle for the mixture(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
If the critical angle of glass is $45^{\circ}$, the light ray shown in the diagram will be (A) reflected(B) refracted(C) dispersed(D) diffracted
The critical angle for light traveling from a given medium to air is $38^{\circ} .$ If light is traveling from another medium with a greater index of refraction to air, the critical angle is(A) less than $38^{\circ}$(B) greater than $38^{\circ}$(C) equal to $38^{\circ}$
The diagram shows a ray of light $(R)$ incident upon a surface at an angle greater than the critical angle. Through which point is the ray most likely to pass?(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
As a beam of monochromatic light passes from water into air, the frequency of the light(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
The critical angle is the angle of incidence that produces an angle of refraction of(A) $0^{\circ}$(B) $45^{\circ}$(C) $60^{\circ}$(D) $90^{\circ}$
The index of refraction of a transparent material is $2.0 .$ Compared to the speed of light in air, the speed of light in this material is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
As the index of refraction of a medium increases, the critical angle between the medium and air $\theta_{c}$(A) decreases(B) increases(C) remains the same
The critical angle for a monochromatic light ray traveling from a dispersive material into air is $45^{\circ} .$ What is the index of refraction for the material? (A) $2.41$(B) $1.71$(C) $1.41$(D) $0.707$
If a ray of light in glass is incident upon an air surface at an angle greater than the critical angle, the ray will(A) reflect, only(B) refract, only(C) partly refract and partly reflect(D) partly refract and partly diffract
A light ray travels from an unknown material into air. If the sine of the critical angle is $0.685$, the substance could be(A) alcohol(B) diamond(C) flint glass(D) carbon tetrachloride
The critical angle of glass is $43^{\circ}$. In which diagram below will the ray of light be refracted?
In which diagram will the ray of light most likely undergo total internal reflection?
What is the relative index of refraction of the light going from plate $X$ to plate $Y$ ?
The speed of the light ray in plate $X$ is approximately(A) $1.8 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $2.1 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $2.5 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $2.9 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
Compared to angle $\theta$, the angle of refraction of the light ray in plate $X$ is(A) smaller(B) greater(C) the same
Compared to angle $\theta$, the angle of refraction of the ray emerging from plate $Y$ into air will be(A) smaller(B) greater(C) the same
In the diagram below, a monochromatic light ray is passing from medium $A$ into medium $B$. The angle of incidence, $\theta$, is varied by moving the light source, $S$. When angle $\theta$ becomes the critical angle, the angle of refraction will be(A) $0^{\circ}$(B) $\theta$(C) greater than $\theta$, but less than $90^{\circ}$(D) $90^{\circ}$
When a ray of white light is refracted, which component color has the greatest change in direction?(A) orange(B) red(C) green(D) violet
Compared to the wavelength of a wave of green light in air, the wavelength of the same wave of green light in Lucite is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
Monochromatic light cannot be (A) dispersed(B) absorbed(C) reflected(D) refracted
Compared to the speed of light in a vacuum, the speed of light in a dispersive medium is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
The separation of white light into its component colors as it passes through a prism is called(A) convergence(B) dispersion(C) diffraction(D) total internal reflection
Which terms best describe the phenomenon illustrated by the diagram below? (A) scattering and diffraction(B) reflection and interference(C) transmission and Doppler effect(D) refraction and dispersion
The index of refraction of the glass prism for green light equals
After the ray leaves the prism, it will most likely pass through point(A) $A$(B) $B$(C) $C$(D) $D$
If the monochromatic green ray is replaced by a monochromatic red ray, $\theta_{2}$ will (A) decrease(B) increase(C) remain the same
Compared to the speed of the monochromatic green light in the prism, the speed of the monochromatic red light in the prism is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
Compared to the frequency of the green light in the prism, the frequency of the red light in the prism is(A) less(B) greater(C) the same
The index of refraction for the violet light ray is approximately(A) $0.577$(B) $2.00$(C) $1.24$(D) $1.73$
If the index of refraction for the red light is approximately 1.22, the speed of the red light in glass is approximately(A) $1.22 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(B) $2.46 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(C) $3.00 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$(D) $4.07 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$
Which color of light has the greatest speed in the prism? (A) red(B) green(C) blue(D) violet
Which pattern of bright and dark bands could have been produced by a beam of monochromatic light passing through a single narrow slit?
Interference experiments demonstrate the(A) particle nature of light(B) polarization of light(C) intensity of light(D) wave nature of light
Which diagram best represents the phenomenon of diffraction?
Which phenomenon is the best evidence for the wave nature of light?(A) reflection(B) photoelectric emission(C) diffusion(D) interference
Which term best describes the light generated by a laser?(A) diffused(B) coherent(C) dispersive(D) longitudinal
The diagram below represents a group of light waves emitted simultaneously from a single source. These light waves would be classified as(A) coherent, but not monochromatic(B) monochromatic, but not coherent(C) both monochromatic and coherent(D) neither monochromatic nor coherent
Two sources are coherent if the waves that they produce (A) have the same amplitude(B) travel at the same speed(C) are both transverse in nature(D) have a constant phase relation