Which statement best describes the reflection of a wave?
A.) A wave transfers its energy to a material.
B.) A wave fails to reach the surface of a material.
C.) A wave passes through a material.
D.) A wave bounces off the surface of a material.
D.) A wave bounces off the surface of a material.
D.) A wave bounces off the surface of a material. Just like when you show up to a costume party dressed as a clown, some people may want you to reflect on your fashion choices and bounce right off the surface of their memory!
D.) A wave bounces off the surface of a material.
The correct answer is D) A wave bounces off the surface of a material.
To understand why, let's first define reflection. Reflection occurs when a wave encounters a boundary or surface and bounces back, changing direction, after striking that surface.
When a wave reaches a boundary or surface, it encounters a change in medium or a change in properties of the medium it is traveling through. This change causes the wave to bounce back, keeping its original energy and changing direction.
For example, when light waves hit a mirror, they reflect off the mirror's surface. Similarly, sound waves can reflect off hard surfaces like walls or floors.
In this question, the statement "A wave bounces off the surface of a material" best describes the reflection of a wave since "reflection" specifically refers to the bouncing back of a wave when it encounters a surface or boundary.