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The splitting of light into its component colours is called
Reflection
Diffraction
Refraction
Dispersion
None of the above
Dispersion
The splitting of white light into its constituent seven colors (VIBGYOR) when passing through a dispersive medium, like a glass prism, is called dispersion. It occurs because the refractive index of a material depends on the wavelength of the light, causing different colors to bend by different angles.
The splitting of white light into its constituent seven colors (VIBGYOR) when passing through a dispersive medium, like a glass prism, is called dispersion. It occurs because the refractive index of a material depends on the wavelength of the light, causing different colors to bend by different angles.
Think of a prism like a crowd of people running through mud; those who are faster (longer wavelength, red) get through with less resistance than those who are slower (shorter wavelength, violet), causing the group to spread out as they exit.
VIBGYOR: Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red (the order of decreasing deviation).
╬┤=(╬╝тИТ1)A тАФ the deviation formula for a thin prism where ╬╝ is the refractive index and A is the prism angle.
╬╝=A+╬╗2BтАЛ тАФ Cauchy's equation showing wavelength dependency of the refractive index.
Light consists of different wavelengths, where violet has the shortest wavelength and red has the longest. According to Cauchy's equation, the refractive index n is a function of wavelength ╬╗, where n(╬╗)тЙИA+╬╗2BтАЛ. As a result, violet light experiences the greatest refractive index and bends most, while red light experiences the least, leading to the separation of colors.
Dispersion is caused by the variation of refractive index with wavelength.
Violet light is deviated the most and red light the least.
The spectrum produced is a continuous range of colors.
Dispersion does not occur in a vacuum because all wavelengths travel at the same speed c.
Allows the study of stellar spectra to determine chemical composition of stars.
Essential for the production of rainbows.
Chromatic aberration in lenses, where different colors focus at different points, leading to blurred images.
Rainbow formation in the sky due to water droplets.
Spectroscopy used in chemistry for identifying substances.
The phenomenon was famously demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton using a glass prism.
Reflection is the bouncing back of light from a surface (Option A).
Diffraction is the bending of light around the corners of an obstacle (Option B).
Refraction is the change in path of light when passing from one medium to another (Option C).
D is correct тАФ The process of separation of white light into its component colors is specifically termed dispersion.
Always remember: 'Dispersion' relates to the separation of colors, while 'Refraction' is the general term for the change in direction of light. Dispersion is a specific consequence of refraction when dealing with non-monochromatic light.
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