7
QuizMultiple Choice

Diffraction — Quiz

Question 7 • Physics

Hilda looks at a CD and sees different colors. Which best explains why she sees different colors when light strikes a CD?

Answer
A
The smooth surface of a CD causes wavelengths of light to scatter.
B
Some wavelengths of light are absorbed by the CD.
C
The rough surface of a CD causes wavelengths of light to bend at the same angle.
D
Different wavelengths of light bend at different angles.

Explanation

The closely spaced grooves on a CD act like a diffraction grating, spreading white light into its component wavelengths. Different wavelengths bend by different amounts, so they reach Hilda’s eyes at different angles and appear as different colors. Thus, the best explanation is that different wavelengths of light bend at different angles.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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