Question

How does a stained-glass window alter the white light that passes through it?

refracting different wavelengths of light
reflecting different wavelengths of light
absorbing different wavelengths of light
diffracting different wavelengths of light

Answer 1

A stained-glass window alters the white light that passes through it primarily by **absorbing different wavelengths of light** and **refracting different wavelengths of light**.

Here’s a breakdown of how this works:

1. **Absorption**: The colored glass is made with various metal oxides and other materials that absorb certain wavelengths (colors) of light while allowing others to pass through. For instance, a red piece of glass will absorb most wavelengths except for red, which it transmits.

2. **Refraction**: As the light passes through the glass, it bends (or refracts) due to the difference in the refractive index of glass compared to air. This bending can also create a separation of colors, although this effect is more pronounced in prisms than in stained glass.

While stained glass mainly works through absorption, refraction does play a role in the overall effect of the light passing through the window. **Reflection**, on the other hand, is less significant in the case of stained glass since it is typically designed to maximize the transmission of light through the glass rather than reflect it. **Diffraction** is not a significant factor in how stained glass works in this context.

So, the most accurate answers would be "absorbing different wavelengths of light" and "refracting different wavelengths of light."