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How does refraction support the particle theory of light?
Particles bounce off surfaces similar to the way in which a ball bounces off a wall.
Light slows down and bends when it moves from a less dense to a more dense medium.
Forces act on the particles to push or pull them from one medium to another.
As light passes through an opening, it spreads out in all directions.
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GPT-5 mini
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Answer: "Forces act on the particles to push or pull them from one medium to another."
Why: In a particle model, refraction is explained by forces at the boundary changing the particle's velocity component normal to the interface while the tangential component stays the same, so the direction of motion bends (toward the normal when entering a denser medium).
Notes:
- The first choice describes reflection, not refraction.
- The second choice states the observed slowing in denser media (true) but Newton's original particle model predicted the opposite change in speed; that observation historically supported the wave theory.
- The fourth choice describes diffraction, which supports wave behaviour.
Why: In a particle model, refraction is explained by forces at the boundary changing the particle's velocity component normal to the interface while the tangential component stays the same, so the direction of motion bends (toward the normal when entering a denser medium).
Notes:
- The first choice describes reflection, not refraction.
- The second choice states the observed slowing in denser media (true) but Newton's original particle model predicted the opposite change in speed; that observation historically supported the wave theory.
- The fourth choice describes diffraction, which supports wave behaviour.
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