Laser Prework Practice Test 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Mastering Exam Success!

Laser light is characterized by a low divergence, meaning it can travel long distances with minimal spreading, which is one of the defining features that distinguishes it from ordinary light. Ordinary light sources, such as incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lights, emit light in all directions and have a much wider angle of divergence. This spreading leads to a loss of intensity over distance, whereas laser light remains focused and coherent over extended ranges, enabling it to maintain its intensity and precision.

While other options may seem relevant, they do not capture a unique distinguishing attribute of laser light compared to ordinary light. For instance, while lasers can be intense, intensity alone does not define laser light as higher intensity can also be produced by non-laser sources. Monochromaticity, which refers to having a single wavelength, is indeed a feature of laser light, but there are light sources such as LEDs which can also emit light of a single wavelength. The statement about traveling in straight lines is misleading because while lasers do travel in straight lines, it is not exclusive to laser light; other forms of light also typically travel in straight lines unless obstructed. Therefore, the characterization of divergence effectively encapsulates a key difference unique to the properties of laser light.