Final answer:
Option D is correct because sound waves partially reflect off walls and visible light is absorbed by them, with light acting like a ray and sound bending around corners due to their different wavelengths.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is option D: Sound waves are reflected by the wall, and visible light waves are absorbed by the wall. This occurs because sound and light waves behave differently due to their respective wavelengths. Light has very short wavelengths and acts much like a ray, which results in a sharp shadow when passing through an opening like a doorway and does not bend around corners. On the other hand, sound waves have wavelengths that are comparable to the size of an opening such as a door, allowing them to bend around corners and fill the room. Therefore, sound waves can partially be absorbed and reflected by walls, while visible light that hits a typical wall is mostly absorbed, and not transmitted through the wall.