A barcode can be printed on a product to help identify the product. A barcode usually consists of several alternating vertical black and white lines of various widths. A barcode scanner is used to read the information stored in a barcode. The barcode scanner projects a beam of light on the barcode. The light that reflects from the barcode is decoded to give information about the product.

Question

Which of the following processes enables the scanner to decode the information from the barcode?
A.
The projected light from the scanner interferes with the reflected light from the barcode, and this combined beam of light is recognized by the optical sensor of the scanner.
B.
The projected light from the scanner is diffracted by the barcode, which creates a pattern on the optical sensor of the scanner.
C.
The projected light from the scanner is refracted by the lines on the barcode, which changes the speed of the light hitting the optical sensor of the scanner.
D.
The projected light from the scanner is absorbed by the black lines and reflected by the white lines of the barcode, which creates a pattern on the optical sensor of the scanner.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

D. The projected light from the scanner is absorbed by the black lines and reflected by the white lines of the barcode, which creates a pattern on the optical sensor of the scanner.

This process enables the scanner to decode the information from the barcode by distinguishing between the black (which absorbs light) and white (which reflects light) lines. The resulting light pattern is then interpreted by the scanner to retrieve the stored information about the product.