Question

lasers: the light fantastic!

1. since the early days of ancient greece, egypt, rome, china, and india,

rays of light have been thought to possess mysterious, even magical
powers. the ancients believed light could carry messages from the gods
and that the sun was responsible for infusing life. light, they believed,
could even cure serious illnesses.

1. ordinary light is composed of many light rays of different wavelengths,

all out of step with each other. thats why most visible light diffuses, or
spreads out, from its source. you probably have experienced this if you
have ever been in a darkened room and lit a candle or turned on a small
light bulb. the light, in these examples, is brightest at its source. as it
moves away from its point of origin, the light covers more area but it
grows dimmer. people wondered if there was any way to keep the
intensity of light the same as it is at its source?

1. which statement do both articles support?

○ society is quick to embrace change.
○ inventors are more influential than others.
○ there are always people who will cause destruction.
○ an invention can have an impact beyond its original
design.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option. The first article (on lasers/light) likely discusses how light (and later laser) inventions had impacts beyond initial ideas (e.g., light's uses beyond original beliefs, lasers' diverse applications). Option A: There's no indication society is quick to embrace change. Option B: No support for inventors being more influential. Option C: No mention of destruction. Option D aligns with the idea that inventions (like light/lasers) have impacts beyond their original design (e.g., light was thought to have magical powers, later scientific uses; lasers likely had unforeseen uses too).

Answer:

D. An invention can have an impact beyond its original design.