Question

Shannon stands in an open field and shines a laser pointer straight in front of her. The laser forms a straight line that extends beyond sight. Shannon then rotates her body 90°, and the laser pointer rotates with her as well. Which of the following is true of the laser after Shannon turns her body?

a) The laser forms a line that curves in the distance.
b) The laser forms an angle with Shannon at its vertex.
c) The laser forms a straight line that differs only in its orientation.
d) The laser forms a shorter line that ends a few feet in front of Shannon.

Answer 1

After rotating 90°, the laser pointer with Shannon forms an angle, as the laser beam continues to emit as a straight line but in a different orientation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Shannon stands in an open field and shines a laser pointer straight in front of her, the laser forms a straight line that extends beyond sight. After Shannon turns her body 90°, the laser pointer, which rotates with her, forms an angle with Shannon at its vertex.

This is because a laser beam, as it emerges from a laser pointer, acts like a ray and travels in a straight line regardless of Shannon's rotation. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: (b) The laser forms an angle with Shannon at its vertex. Note that the character of light as a wave, which might be demonstrated by spreading or interference patterns seen when a laser beam passes through vertical slits, does not alter the fact that the laser beam is still a straight line after rotation, it merely differs in its orientation.

Answer 2

After rotating 90°, the laser pointer with Shannon forms an angle, as the laser beam continues to emit as a straight line but in a different orientation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Shannon stands in an open field and shines a laser pointer straight in front of her, the laser forms a straight line that extends beyond sight. After Shannon turns her body 90°, the laser pointer, which rotates with her, forms an angle with Shannon at its vertex.

This is because a laser beam, as it emerges from a laser pointer, acts like a ray and travels in a straight line regardless of Shannon's rotation. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: (b) The laser forms an angle with Shannon at its vertex. Note that the character of light as a wave, which might be demonstrated by spreading or interference patterns seen when a laser beam passes through vertical slits, does not alter the fact that the laser beam is still a straight line after rotation, it merely differs in its orientation.