Final answer:
The option that alters the color of the incident light is when white light passes through a cyan filter, as this allows only cyan light to pass through, absorbing other colors.
The correct option that alters the color of the light incident on it is A: when white light passes through a cyan filter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which of the given options alters the color of the incident light. Let's consider each option:
- A. When white light passes through a cyan filter, the filter allows only cyan light to pass through while absorbing the other colors, thus altering the color of the incident light.
- B. When unpolarized light passes through a polarizing filter, it only filters out light waves not aligned with the filter's axis. Although this does affect the light's intensity and polarization, it does not change the color of the light.
- C. When wave particles passing through a diffraction filter, it probably refers to light waves interacting with a diffractive element and getting diffracted. This interaction can spread out light into its constituent colors, but this typically refers to spreading out, not changing the incident light's color for the remaining beam.
- D. When light of a single frequency enters a new medium and refracts, the direction of light changes due to a change in speed, but the color (frequency) of pure monochromatic light (single color) remains the same.
The correct option that alters the color of the light incident on it is A: when white light passes through a cyan filter.