GED Science TestPhysical ScienceMedium
A student is designing an experiment to demonstrate the properties of light. They want to show that light can be bent or refracted as it passes from one medium to another. Which of the following setups would best illustrate this phenomenon?
- AObserving light passing through a pinhole camera.
- BShining a flashlight directly onto a mirror.
- CUsing a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto a point.
- DPassing a beam of light through a prism.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Passing a beam of light through a prism.
A prism is specifically designed to demonstrate refraction, where light bends as it enters and exits the glass, often separating into its constituent colors (dispersion). This directly illustrates light bending when passing from air to glass and back to air.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A pinhole camera demonstrates light traveling in straight lines and image formation, not refraction.
- B. Shining a flashlight onto a mirror demonstrates reflection, where light bounces off a surface.
- C. A magnifying glass uses refraction to focus light, but a prism provides a clearer and more direct demonstration of the bending phenomenon itself.
Refraction of Light
The bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another, due to a change in its speed.
- Occurs at the boundary between two media
- Causes objects underwater to appear distorted
- Responsible for lenses and prisms working
Memory trick: Refraction makes light bend, like a broken stick in water.