Question

a light wave traveling through air passes into a new medium. what can result when some of the waves energy is absorbed by the new medium?
a. the waves energy decreases.
b. the mediums energy decreases.
c. the waves amplitude increases.
d. the mediums mass increases.

Explanation:

When a light wave's energy is absorbed by a new medium, the wave loses that energy. Energy of a wave is related to its amplitude (higher energy means higher amplitude). If energy is absorbed (taken away from the wave), the wave's energy decreases. The medium gains energy (so B is wrong as medium's energy would increase), wave's amplitude would decrease (so C is wrong), and mass of the medium is not affected by energy absorption in this context (so D is wrong).

Answer:

A. The wave’s energy decreases.