Light rays II

Light rays II

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This task is about describing the behaviour of light rays.
Light rays can change direction as they travel through substances. Scientists show the behaviour of light rays by using ray diagrams. 

Question

light ray diagram

Choose one or more statements that describe how this light ray behaves. 

    • The light ray bounces off the surface.

    • The light ray bends as it passes from one substance to another.

    • The light ray bends twice as it passes through a substance and through to another substance.

    • The light ray splits into multiple pathways. 

Question

light ray diagram

Which scientific term or terms could be used to describe the light ray behaviour in this diagram?
(Choose one or more)

    • Divergence

    • Reflection

    • Refraction

    • Prism

Question

light ray diagram

Choose one or more statements that describe how this light ray behaves. 

    • The light ray bounces off the surface.

    • The light ray bends as it passes from one substance to another.

    • The light ray bends twice as it passes through a substance and through to another substance.

    • The light ray splits into multiple pathways. 

Question

light ray diagram

Which scientific term or terms could be used to describe the light ray behaviour in this diagram?
(Choose one or more)

    • Divergence

    • Reflection

    • Refraction

    • Prism

Question

light ray diagram

Choose one or more statements that describe how this light ray behaves. 

    • The light ray bounces off the surface.

    • The light ray bends as it passes from one substance to another.

    • The light ray bends twice as it passes through a substance and through to another substance.

    • The light ray splits into multiple pathways. 

Question

light ray diagram

Which scientific term or terms could be used to describe the light ray behaviour in this diagram?
(Choose one or more)

    • Divergence

    • Reflection

    • Refraction

    • Prism

Question

light ray diagram

Choose one or more statements that describe how these light rays behave. 

    • The light rays bounce off the surface.

    • The light rays bend as they pass from one substance to another.

    • The light rays bend twice as they pass through a substance and through to another substance.

    • The light rays split into multiple pathways. 

Question

light ray diagram

Which scientific term or terms could be used to describe the light ray behaviour in this diagram?
(Choose one or more)

    • Divergence

    • Reflection

    • Refraction

    • Prism

Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
light, refraction, prisms
Description of task: 
This task is about describing the behaviour of light rays.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the interpretation of light ray diagrams. 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
light-rays-ii-answer-1.png
light-rays-ii-answer-2.png
light-rays-ii-answer-3.png
light-rays-ii-answer-4b.png
Diagnostic and formative information: 
Questions Problems/Misconceptions
For the questions that had one correct answer. 
Most of the students answered these questions correctly. 
For questions that had more than one correct answer.
Most students chose one of the correct answers. 
Based on a sample of 17 students completing the task on-line.
 
 
Next steps: 
Choosing more than one correct answer is important as it lays the foundations for the unpredictability of systems thinking.
 
Across our research we find suggestions that some students don't like the uncertainty when there can be more than one correct answer. Simple tasks like this are a safe way of getting them to practise.