Question

The split of white light into 7 colours by prism is known as

• A. Diffraction
• B. Dispersion
• C. Scattering
• D. Polarization

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Dispersion

• Dispersion occurs because the speed of light, and consequently the refractive index of the prism material, is different for different wavelengths (colors) of light.

• Violet light, which has the shortest wavelength, slows down the most, and is therefore bent (deviated) the most.

• Red light, which has the longest wavelength, slows down the least, and is therefore bent the least.