1. The bending of light from the core (edge) of a barrier is called diffraction, which corresponds to option [B]. Diffraction occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength, causing the wave to bend around the edges and spread out. This phenomenon is aRead more

    The bending of light from the core (edge) of a barrier is called diffraction, which corresponds to option [B]. Diffraction occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength, causing the wave to bend around the edges and spread out. This phenomenon is a fundamental aspect of wave behavior and can be observed with various types of waves, including light and sound. In the context of light, diffraction can create patterns of constructive and destructive interference, leading to effects such as the rainbow-like colors seen in a CD or the spreading of light when it passes through a small aperture. Unlike dispersion, refraction, and interference, diffraction specifically describes the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles.

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  2. Polarization, option [B], does not occur in both light and sound. Light waves can be polarized because they are transverse waves, meaning their oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This property allows light waves to oscillate in various planes and thus be filtered orRead more

    Polarization, option [B], does not occur in both light and sound. Light waves can be polarized because they are transverse waves, meaning their oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This property allows light waves to oscillate in various planes and thus be filtered or aligned in a specific orientation, which is what polarization refers to. On the other hand, sound waves are longitudinal waves, with oscillations occurring in the same direction as the wave propagation. This intrinsic nature of sound waves does not permit polarization because there is no perpendicular oscillation plane to align or filter. While both light and sound waves can experience diffraction, reflection, and refraction, which involve the bending of waves around obstacles, bouncing off surfaces, and changing direction when entering a different medium respectively, the unique transverse nature of light waves and longitudinal nature of sound waves means that polarization is not a shared phenomenon between them.

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  3. A lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day, which corresponds to option [B]. During this celestial event, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, with the three bodies aligning in a straight line. The Earth's shadow then falls on the Moon, causing it to darken temporarily. The type ofRead more

    A lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day, which corresponds to option [B]. During this celestial event, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, with the three bodies aligning in a straight line. The Earth’s shadow then falls on the Moon, causing it to darken temporarily. The type of lunar eclipse—whether partial, total, or penumbral—depends on how deeply the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth’s umbra (the central, darkest part of the shadow), while a partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a part of the Moon enters the umbra. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, resulting in a subtle darkening of the lunar surface. Observing lunar eclipses provides valuable insights into Earth’s position in relation to the Sun and Moon and offers a breathtaking display of celestial mechanics visible from Earth.

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  4. To a person sitting and hanging in water, their leg appears bent and smaller due to refraction, which corresponds to option [A]. Refraction happens because light travels at different speeds in water compared to air. When light rays pass from water into air at an angle, such as when viewing a submergRead more

    To a person sitting and hanging in water, their leg appears bent and smaller due to refraction, which corresponds to option [A]. Refraction happens because light travels at different speeds in water compared to air. When light rays pass from water into air at an angle, such as when viewing a submerged object from above the water’s surface, they change direction due to the change in the medium’s optical density. This bending effect alters the apparent position and size of objects seen through the water, creating optical illusions. Objects partially submerged appear bent at the water’s surface, a phenomenon often observed in swimming pools or underwater photography. Understanding refraction is crucial in fields like optics, underwater exploration, and ophthalmology, where accurate knowledge of light’s behavior in different environments is essential for interpreting visual information and designing optical instruments.

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  5. A coin placed in a vessel filled with water appears slightly raised due to the refraction of light, which corresponds to option [B]. Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums, such as water and air. When light passes from water into air (or vice versa), its patRead more

    A coin placed in a vessel filled with water appears slightly raised due to the refraction of light, which corresponds to option [B]. Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums, such as water and air. When light passes from water into air (or vice versa), its path bends at the interface due to the change in speed, following Snell’s law. This bending effect causes the coin to appear higher than its actual position when viewed from above the water’s surface. The amount of apparent displacement depends on the refractive indices of water and air and the angle at which the observer views the coin. This phenomenon is a common optical illusion that demonstrates how light behaves when it transitions between materials with different optical densities. Understanding refraction is essential in fields such as optics, astronomy, and underwater exploration, where accurate predictions of light’s behavior in various mediums are critical for scientific observations and practical applications.

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