Name: 
 

MCAS Light, Optics, EM Spectrum



Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

What property of electromagnetic waves makes it possible to use these waves to transmit information between a space shuttle and NASA mission control centers on the ground? (MCAS 2004)
a.
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.
b.
Electromagnetic waves have very low velocity.
c.
Electromagnetic waves are all visible to human eyes.
d.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum.
 

 2. 

Which of the following is designed to transform an electromagnetic wave into a mechanical wave? (MCAS 2004)
a.
a portable radio
c.
a computer monitor
b.
a television screen
d.
a mercury thermometer
 

 3. 

A plastic filter is fitted over a light. The light emits white light, but the filter only lets the longest wavelengths of visible light pass through. Which color would a person looking at the filtered light see? (Modified MCAS 2004)
a.
green
b.
red
c.
violet
d.
yellow
 

 4. 

Which of the following describes how a microwave oven heats food? (MCAS 2005)
a.
The oven’s interior reflects heat onto the food.
b.
The oven’s interior, like a lens, focuses heat onto the food.
c.
Water molecules in the food reflect energy from microwave radiation.
d.
Water molecules in the food absorb the energy of microwave radiation.
 

 5. 

The figure below shows regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
mc005-1.jpg
Which of the following waves has the highest frequency? (MCAS 2005)
a.
visible light
b.
microwaves
c.
ultraviolet rays
d.
infrared radiation
 

 6. 

Which of the following best describes the relationship between frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic waves? (MCAS 2005)
a.
If the frequency remains constant, the wavelength increases.
b.
The wavelength decreases as the frequency decreases.
c.
The frequency increases as the wavelength decreases.
d.
If the wavelength remains constant, the frequency increases.
 

 7. 

Which of the following is a similarity between x-ray waves and sound waves? (MCAS 2005)
a.
Both transfer energy.
c.
Both have the same speed.
b.
Both require a vacuum.
d.
Both have the same frequency.
 

 8. 

The figure below shows regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
mc008-1.jpg
Which of the following statements best compares the wavelengths of the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum? (MCAS 2006)
a.
Microwaves are shorter than x-rays.
b.
Infrared waves are longer than gamma rays.
c.
Radio waves are shorter than visible light waves.
d.
Ultraviolet waves are longer than visible light waves.
 

 9. 

Which of the following colors of visible light has the longest wavelength? (MCAS 2006)
a.
red
b.
blue
c.
green
d.
orange
 

 10. 

Which of the following devices relies on electromagnetic radiation in the radio wave region of the spectrum for operation? (MCAS 2006)
a.
sun tanning lamp
c.
cellular telephone
b.
electric light bulb
d.
electric toaster
 

 11. 

Visible light passes through glass. Other types of electromagnetic radiation are able to pass through other materials in a similar way. Which of the following are used in medical technology because they can pass through some parts of the human body? (MCAS 2006)
a.
x-rays
b.
infrared waves
c.
microwaves
d.
ultraviolet rays
 

 12. 

Some campers are sitting around a campfire outside their tent. Which product of the fire is in the form of electromagnetic waves? (MCAS 2006)
a.
light
b.
smoke
c.
sound
d.
water vapor
 

 13. 

Which of the following can carry light waves but not sound waves? (MCAS 2007)
a.
air
b.
steel
c.
water
d.
vacuum
 

 14. 

Which of the following waves can travel at a speed of 3 x 108 m/s? (MCAS 2007)
a.
microwaves
b.
seismic waves
c.
ultrasonic waves
d.
water waves
 

 15. 

Which of the following graphs best represents the relationship of the frequency of an electromagnetic wave to its wavelength? (MCAS 2007)
a.
mc015-1.jpg
c.
mc015-3.jpg
b.
mc015-2.jpg
d.
mc015-4.jpg
 

 16. 

Which of the following waves travels fastest? (MCAS 2007)
a.
water waves in oceans
c.
sound waves from a violin string
b.
seismic waves in rocks
d.
electromagnetic waves from the Sun
 

 17. 

Ultraviolet light has a shorter wavelength than visible light. Which of the following is another way ultraviolet light can be compared to visible light? (MCAS 2007)
a.
Ultraviolet light has a lower frequency than visible light.
b.
Ultraviolet light has a higher frequency than visible light.
c.
Ultraviolet light travels faster than visible light.
d.
Ultraviolet light travels slower than visible light.
 

 18. 

Which of the following waves travels fastest? (MCAS 2007)
a.
water waves in oceans
c.
sound waves from a violin string
b.
seismic waves in rocks
d.
electromagnetic waves from the Sun
 

 19. 

Which of the following is possible due to longitudinal waves? (MCAS 2008)
a.
seeing the color red
c.
hearing the sound of the ocean
b.
getting a tan at the beach
d.
riding a wave on a surfboard
 

 20. 

Radio waves, visible light, and x-rays are examples of electromagnetic waves that always differ from each other in ____. (MCAS 2008)
a.
amplitude
b.
intensity
c.
temperature
d.
wavelength
 

 21. 

X-ray waves and infrared waves are both electromagnetic waves. Which of the following describes another property x-ray waves and infrared waves share? (MCAS 2008)
a.
Both waves are longitudinal.
b.
Both waves have the same frequency.
c.
Both waves have the same wavelength.
d.
Both waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
 

 22. 

Suppose a scientist detects an electromagnetic wave with a frequency higher than those of gamma rays. The scientist labels this wave a Z-ray. Which of the following would always be true of a Z-ray? (MCAS 2008)
a.
A Z-ray would have a lesser amplitude than gamma rays.
b.
A Z-ray would have a greater amplitude than gamma rays.
c.
A Z-ray would have a shorter wavelength than gamma rays.
d.
A Z-ray would have a longer wavelength than gamma rays.
 

 23. 

A student is sitting in a large stadium far away from the starting line of a footrace, while listening to the footrace on the radio. As the race starts, the student hears the sound of the starting pistol on the radio. Shortly after that, the student hears the sound of the starting pistol from inside the stadium. Which of the following best explains these observations? (MCAS 2008)
a.
Mechanical waves travel faster than electromagnetic waves.
b.
Electromagnetic waves travel faster than mechanical waves.
c.
The radio’s signal traveled a shorter distance than the sound wave traveled.
d.
The radio’s microphone was farther away from the starting line than the student was.
 

 24. 

A student standing on the edge of a swimming pool sees a painted mark on the bottom of the pool. The mark appears to be at a shallower depth than the actual depth of the pool. Which of the following descriptions of light waves best explains this observation? (MCAS 2008)
a.
Light from the mark travels through the water in a curved path.
b.
Light from the mark is refracted as it travels from the water to the air.
c.
Light from the mark is reflected as it travels from the water to the air.
d.
Light from the mark bounces off the boundary between the water and the air.
 

 25. 

The diagram below shows a light ray striking a plane mirror surface at an angle of 40° to the normal.
mc025-1.jpg
Which of the following diagrams shows the ray that is reflected from the plane mirror surface? (MCAS 2009)
a.
mc025-2.jpg
c.
mc025-4.jpg
b.
mc025-3.jpg
d.
mc025-5.jpg
 

 26. 

Which of the following statements best describes the visible spectrum of light as seen by the human eye? (MCAS 2009)
a.
The lowest frequency appears red, and the highest frequency appears violet.
b.
The lowest frequency appears red, and the highest frequency appears yellow.
c.
The lowest frequency appears green, and the highest frequency appears violet.
d.
The lowest frequency appears green, and the highest frequency appears yellow.
 

 27. 

Electromagnetic waves of various frequencies reach Earth from distant parts of the universe. Which of the following can be inferred from this? (MCAS 2009)
a.
The wavelengths must be very short.
b.
A single material must fill all of space.
c.
These waves can travel without a medium.
d.
The speed of these waves is 300,000,000 m/s.
 

 28. 

Which of the following statements best describes an electromagnetic wave with a long wavelength? (MCAS 2009)
a.
It has a low frequency and can travel in a vacuum.
b.
It has a high frequency and can travel in a vacuum.
c.
It has a low frequency and can only travel in a medium.
d.
It has a high frequency and can only travel in a medium.
 

 29. 

In an electromagnetic wave, an electric field exists perpendicular to a magnetic field, and both fields are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave. These characteristics indicate that an electromagnetic wave is which of the following wave types? (MCAS 2009)
a.
gravitational
b.
longitudinal
c.
mechanical
d.
transverse
 

 30. 

Which of the following is an example of an electromagnetic wave? (MCAS 2009)
a.
a radio wave
c.
the oscillation of a spring
b.
a water wave
d.
the vibration of a violin string
 

 31. 

Which of the following properties is the same for all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum? (MCAS 2010)
a.
amplitude
b.
frequency
c.
speed
d.
wavelength
 

 32. 

Which of the following properties determines a color in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum? (MCAS 2010)
a.
acceleration
b.
amplitude
c.
frequency
d.
speed
 

 33. 

Which of the following is designed to produce an electromagnetic wave? (MCAS 2010)
a.
elastic cord
b.
laser pointer
c.
metal spring
d.
ripple tank
 

 34. 

The diagram below shows a light ray striking the flat surface of a piece of clear hard plastic at an angle of 45°. Light travels faster in air than through plastic.
mc034-1.jpg
Which of the following diagrams shows how the ray is refracted after it travels through the plastic? (MCAS 2010)
a.
mc034-2.jpg
c.
mc034-4.jpg
b.
mc034-3.jpg
d.
mc034-5.jpg
 

 35. 

The table below lists the speed of light in four different situations.
mc035-1.jpg
In which situation is light traveling through a vacuum? (MCAS 2011)
a.
situation 1
b.
situation 2
c.
situation 3
d.
situation 4
 

 36. 

The diagram below shows an incident light ray striking a shiny piece of aluminum foil.
mc036-1.jpg
Which of the following statements describes what will most likely happen to the light ray after it strikes the aluminum foil? (MCAS 2011)
a.
The light ray will be absorbed by the shiny metal.
b.
The light ray will be refracted after passing through the shiny metal.
c.
The light ray will be reflected at a different angle to the normal than the incident light ray.
d.
The light ray will be reflected at the same angle to the normal as the incident light ray.
 

 37. 

The figure below shows regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
mc037-1.jpg
Which of the following devices is designed to produce electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelength in order to operate? (MCAS 2011)
a.
light bulb
c.
x-ray microscope
b.
microwave oven
d.
FM radio transmitter
 

 38. 

Which of the following observations demonstrates that visible light waves are electromagnetic and not mechanical? (MCAS 2011)
a.
Sunlight can pass through gas.
c.
Sunlight can pass through liquids.
b.
Sunlight can pass through solids.
d.
Sunlight can pass through a vacuum.
 

 39. 

Which of the following statements best explains why lightning is seen before thunder is heard? (MCAS 2011)
a.
Electromagnetic waves travel faster than mechanical waves in air.
b.
Electromagnetic waves have a higher frequency than mechanical waves.
c.
Electromagnetic waves experience less interference than mechanical waves.
d.
Electromagnetic waves form faster than mechanical waves during a thunderstorm.
 

 40. 

Which of the following statements best describes a difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves? (MCAS 2012)
a.
Mechanical waves can produce colored light, while electromagnetic waves cannot.
b.
Mechanical waves can travel in any direction, while electromagnetic waves travel only in one direction.
c.
Mechanical waves travel only through a medium, while electromagnetic waves can also travel through a vacuum.
d.
Mechanical waves travel only at the speed of light, while electromagnetic waves can travel at many different speeds.
 

 41. 

Which of the following statements explains why light is refracted as it moves from air into glass? (MCAS 2012)
a.
The speed of light decreases in glass.
b.
The energy of light increases in glass.
c.
The frequency of light decreases in glass.
d.
The wavelength of light increases in glass.
 

 42. 

Ultraviolet and x-ray radiation can damage human cells. Which of the following is a property of these two forms of radiation? (MCAS 2012)
a.
low wave speed
c.
low wave frequency
b.
short wavelength
d.
small wave amplitude
 

 43. 

Which of the following best represents an electromagnetic wave? (MCAS 2012)
a.
mc043-1.jpg
c.
mc043-3.jpg
b.
mc043-2.jpg
d.
mc043-4.jpg
 

 44. 

Electromagnetic waves with low frequencies have been used for long-distance underwater communication. These waves most likely belong to which of the following parts of the electromagnetic spectrum? (MCAS 2013)
a.
gamma rays
b.
infrared waves
c.
radio waves
d.
x-rays
 

 45. 

During a thunderstorm, which of the following travels at a speed closest to 3.00 ´ 108 m/s? (MCAS 2013)
a.
wind from the storm
c.
light from the lightning
b.
sound from the thunder
d.
rain from the storm clouds
 

 46. 

Which of the following properties makes a light wave different from all mechanical waves? (MCAS 2013)
a.
A light wave slows down in a vacuum.
b.
A light wave is able to transmit energy.
c.
A light wave exists as a transverse wave.
d.
A light wave can travel without a medium.
 

 47. 

Which of the following always occurs when a light ray reflects off a mirror? (MCAS 2013)
a.
The speed of the light ray increases.
b.
The direction of the light ray stays the same.
c.
The frequency of the light ray decreases as it reflects and loses energy to the mirror.
d.
The angle at which the light ray strikes the mirror equals the angle at which it reflects.
 

 48. 

Sunscreen protects skin by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Ultraviolet radiation has which of the following properties? (MCAS 2014)
a.
a shorter wavelength than x-rays
c.
a higher frequency than visible light
b.
a lower frequency than radio waves
d.
a longer wavelength than microwaves
 

 49. 

A small object is placed in a room with a narrow mirror on the wall. Four positions in the room are labeled W, X, Y, and Z, as shown below.
mc049-1.jpg
At which position should a person stand to see the reflection of the object in the mirror? (MCAS 2014)
a.
position W
b.
position X
c.
position Y
d.
position Z
 

 50. 

The picture below shows what a straight pipe looks like in a container of water when viewed from the side.
mc050-1.jpg
What is happening in this example as light travels from the water into the air? (MCAS 2014)
a.
absorption
b.
diffraction
c.
reflection
d.
refraction
 

 51. 

Which of the following is a difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves? (MCAS 2014)
a.
Electromagnetic waves transmit energy, and mechanical waves transmit information.
b.
Electromagnetic waves are always longitudinal, and mechanical waves are always transverse.
c.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum, and mechanical waves require a medium.
d.
Electromagnetic waves have only low frequencies, and mechanical waves have only high frequencies.
 

 52. 

Grains and spices are irradiated with gamma rays to kill most of the bacteria or fungi that are normally present. Although microwaves are another form of radiation, the properties of these waves do not make them as useful as gamma rays for sterilizing food. In which of the following ways do gamma rays differ from microwaves? (MCAS 2014)
a.
Gamma rays have a lower frequency and longer wavelength than microwaves.
b.
Gamma rays have a lower frequency and shorter wavelength than microwaves.
c.
Gamma rays have a higher frequency and longer wavelength than microwaves.
d.
Gamma rays have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than microwaves.
 

Open-Response Questions
- BE SURE TO ANSWER AND LABEL ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION.
- Show all your work (diagrams, tables, or computations).
- If you do the work in your head, explain in writing how you did the work.
 

 53. 

The electromagnetic spectrum is shown below. (MCAS 2006)
es053-1.jpg
There are multiple stages involved in the transmission, reception, and display of a television broadcast. A signal is sent by satellite from the station and relayed to the television by several methods. The signal is translated electronically and converted into an image on regular, liquid crystal, or plasma TV displays. The viewer then sees the image.

a.       Identify one region of the electromagnetic spectrum used by television and explain how it is used.

b.       Select a different portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is not used by television. Explain a useful application of this spectral region.
 

 54. 

The diagram below shows what happens when a particular light wave strikes a boundary. (MCAS 2008)
es054-1.jpg
a.       Identify each light ray, A, B, and C, as an incident, a refracted, or a reflected ray.

b.       Describe the relationship between angles x1 and x2.

c.       Describe how this setup could be changed so that the size of angle x3 is different.
 

 55. 

When some elements are put into a flame, they emit colored light. Yellow light is emitted from one element and violet light is emitted from another element. (MCAS 2010)

a.       Describe the differences between yellow light and violet light in terms of frequency and wavelength.

The diagram below represents violet light.
es055-1.jpg
b.       Draw and label a representation of yellow light that illustrates how its frequency and wavelength are different from that of violet light.

c. Yellow light and violet light are both in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Identify two other similarities between yellow light and violet light.
 

 56. 

When fireworks explode, they create light waves and sound waves. An investigation is performed to study the differences between the two types of waves. Three cameras capable of recording audio and video are set up at safe nearby locations in clear view of the fireworks. (MCAS 2012)
Camera 1 is placed in an open field.
Camera 2 is placed in a vacuum-sealed glass container.
Camera 3 is placed behind sheets of polarizing glass that block electromagnetic waves.
a. Identify whether audio only, video only, or both audio and video of the fireworks will be recorded by each camera.
b. Explain each of your answers for part (a).
Suppose a camera records both audio and video.
c. Will the light or the sound from the fireworks be recorded first? Explain your answer.
 

 57. 

The diagram below is a simplified representation of the inside of a certain type of camera. (Modified MCAS 2013)
es057-1.jpg
a. Identify and describe the wave behavior as the light rays pass through the glass lens.

b. Identify and describe the wave behavior as the light rays strike the mirror.

c. In the dotted box, draw what must happen inside the box for light ray 2 to strike the viewfinder. Be sure to include the following:
      • either a lens or a mirror that is labeled
      • the path of light ray 2
      • a line normal to the surface where light ray 2 strikes
 

 58. 

Waves can be classified as either electromagnetic or mechanical.
a. Describe two differences between electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
b. Give two examples of electromagnetic waves.
c. Give two examples of mechanical waves.
 



 
Check Your Work     Start Over