2. Why do different colors of light bend by different amounts in aprism?
Answer (1)
Answer:Different colors of light bend by different amounts in a prism because they have different wavelengths. This phenomenon is called dispersion. Here's the breakdown: - White light is a mixture of colors: White light, like sunlight, is actually a combination of all the colors of the visible spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet).- Wavelengths determine color: Each color of light has a specific wavelength, with red having the longest and violet the shortest.- Refraction and speed: When light enters a prism (made of glass or plastic), it slows down and bends, a process called refraction. The amount of bending depends on the material's refractive index.- Different wavelengths, different bending: The refractive index of a material is slightly different for each color of light. This means that red light, with its longer wavelength, bends less than violet light, with its shorter wavelength.- Separation of colors: As the different colors of light bend at different angles, they spread out, creating the familiar rainbow pattern. In simpler terms: Imagine a group of people running through a muddy field. The people with longer strides (like red light) will move through the mud more easily, while those with shorter strides (like violet light) will have to take more steps and will be slowed down more. This difference in speed causes the group to spread out. This is why prisms are used to separate white light into its component colors. The same principle also explains how rainbows are formed in the sky, with raindrops acting like tiny prisms. [2] [3]
