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 imbuing life. light, they believed, could even cure serious illnesses.
2. ordinary light is composed of many light rays of different wavelengths, all out of step with each other. that’s 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?
3. which sentence best supports the author’s belief that the laser has exciting potential?

this coherence is what makes laser light so powerful over great distances.
they can even be used to smash diamonds, one of the hardest substances in nature.
lasers are not restricted to scientific labs or industrial factories.
at the moment, the possibilities seem endless.

Explanation:

To support the belief that lasers have exciting potential, we need a statement showing their impressive capabilities. The option "They can even be used to smash diamonds, one of the hardest substances in nature" demonstrates a powerful and extraordinary use of lasers, highlighting their exciting potential. Other options talk about coherence over distance, usage locations, or future possibilities, but smashing diamonds shows a remarkable ability that emphasizes excitement.

Answer:

The option: "They can even be used to smash diamonds, one of the hardest substances in nature."