Yes, the wavelength of light can change when it travels through transparent materials. This phenomenon is known as wavelength-dependent refraction or dispersion.
Refraction occurs when light passes from one transparent medium to another with a different refractive index. The refractive index is a property of a material that describes how much the speed of light is reduced when it passes through that material. When light enters a medium with a different refractive index, its speed changes, and as a result, the direction of the light ray also changes.
The change in speed of light as it enters a different medium causes its wavelength to change. This effect is described by Snell's law, which relates the incident angle, the refracted angle, and the refractive indices of the two media. According to Snell's law, the change in speed of light results in a change in the direction of propagation, and consequently, the wavelength changes.
The exact nature of the wavelength change depends on the refractive index of the material and the characteristics of the incident light. Different wavelengths of light may experience different degrees of refraction, leading to dispersion. Dispersion refers to the separation of light into its constituent colors, each with a different wavelength, as it passes through a medium.
A classic example of dispersion is the separation of white light into a rainbow of colors when it passes through a prism. This occurs because different wavelengths of light experience different amounts of refraction as they enter and exit the prism, causing them to spread out and form a spectrum.
In summary, the wavelength of light can change when it travels through transparent materials due to the phenomenon of refraction and dispersion. The specific change in wavelength depends on the refractive index of the material and the characteristics of the incident light.