Ms. Knuth places a stick in a pond. When she looked down at the stick, it appeared to be broken or bent at the point where the stick entered the water. This was caused by:
a
Diffraction of light waves around the stick.
b
Refraction of light waves passing from air into water.
c
Reflection of light waves passing from air into water.
d
A refraction of light from the water.
b Refraction of light waves passing from air into water.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the phenomenon at play here. When light interacts with a boundary between two different mediums, such as air and water, it can undergo different effects.
In this scenario, Ms. Knuth is observing a stick in a pond, so we need to consider how light behaves when it passes from air into water. The phenomena that occur in such cases are diffraction, refraction, and reflection.
Diffraction is the bending or spreading out of waves as they move around obstacles. However, in this scenario, the light waves are not significantly obstructed or altered by the presence of the stick, so diffraction can be ruled out as the main cause.
Reflection is the process by which light waves bounce off a surface. However, reflection alone wouldn't account for the perception of the stick being bent or broken.
Therefore, the correct answer is refraction of light waves passing from air into water. Refraction refers to the bending of light waves as they pass from one medium to another, such as when light moves from air to water. This bending is caused by the change in the speed of light as it moves from a less dense medium (air) to a more dense medium (water).
Thus, when Ms. Knuth observes the stick in the pond, the apparent bending or breaking of the stick is due to the refraction of light waves passing from air into water.
The correct answer is b) Refraction of light waves passing from air into water.
When light travels from one medium to another, it changes speed and direction. This phenomenon is known as refraction. When light waves pass from air into water at an angle, they bend or change direction. This change in direction of light waves is what causes the stick to appear broken or bent at the point where it enters the water.