Question

Select the statement(s) that are true about electromagnetic radiation and light.

Light waves rarely travel in straight lines, unless they encounter something that straightens them out.

The human eye can only detect one type of electromagnetic radiation, called visible light.

When a human sees something, they are actually seeing light bouncing back off the object.

When a light wave bounces back from a surface, it is said to have reflected.

The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the sun is organized on a diagram called the spectrum of radiation.

Answer 1

True: statements 2, 3, 4, and 5. False: statement 1.

Brief explanations:
- 1 (false): In a uniform medium light normally travels in straight lines; it only bends or spreads when it encounters changes (refraction, reflection, diffraction, scattering).
- 2 (true): The human eye only detects the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (a narrow range of wavelengths).
- 3 (true, with a caveat): Seeing usually involves light that reaches your eye from an object — either light reflected off it or light it emits (e.g., a lamp or the Sun).
- 4 (true): Bouncing back of light from a surface is called reflection.
- 5 (true): The Sun’s emitted electromagnetic radiation is described across wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum (often shown as the solar spectrum).