Question

hilda looks at a cd and sees different colors. which best explains why she sees different colors when light strikes a cd?
some wavelengths of light are absorbed by the cd.
different wavelengths of light bend at different angles.
the smooth surface of a cd causes wavelengths of light to scatter.
the rough surface of a cd causes wavelengths of light to bend at the same angle.

Explanation:

When light strikes a CD, it undergoes diffraction. The CD has a series of closely - spaced grooves. White light is composed of different wavelengths (colors). Each wavelength of light bends (diffracts) at a different angle due to the interference of light waves. This separation of wavelengths (colors) is what causes Hilda to see different colors.

• Absorption of some wavelengths (first option) would just make the CD appear darker in some regions but not explain the display of multiple colors.
• A smooth surface (third option) would cause specular reflection, not the display of multiple colors as we see on a CD.
• A rough surface causing light to bend at the same angle (fourth option) is incorrect because it's the different bending angles of different wavelengths that create the color - display effect.

Answer:

Different wavelengths of light bend at different angles.