School Improvement in Maryland

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Standard 5.0 Physics

Topic D. Wave Interactions

Indicator 3. Provide evidence to show that light travels in a straight line until it is reflected or refracted.

Objective b. Based on observations trace the path of a ray of light before and after it is reflected (bounces) off a plane mirror.

Selected Response Item

Question Image

Several students placed a toy truck on a table in front of a plane mirror and viewed the image of the truck in the mirror. Next, the students moved the toy truck to different positions and observed the reflected images of the truck from each position.

The diagram below shows the path of a light ray from the toy truck to the mirror.

Question Image

Which diagram best shows the path of the light ray after it is reflected from the mirror?

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/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_science_5_011.xml

Correct Answer:
D