+6 votes
in Electromagnetic Spectrum by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+2 votes
by (2.4k points)

When white light passes through a glass prism, it undergoes a process called dispersion, where the different colors of light are separated due to their different wavelengths. The dispersion of white light in a prism results in the formation of a spectrum of colors.

At the top of the spectrum, the color that bends the least (experiences the least amount of refraction) is red. Red light has the longest wavelength among the visible colors, and it bends the least because it is least affected by the refractive index of the glass prism.

At the bottom of the spectrum, the color that bends the most (experiences the greatest amount of refraction) is violet. Violet light has the shortest wavelength among the visible colors, and it bends the most due to the higher refractive index of the glass prism.

Between red and violet, the other colors of the visible spectrum, in order of increasing wavelength, are orange, yellow, green, blue, and indigo.

This separation of colors occurs because different wavelengths of light interact with the prism material differently. The refractive index of the glass varies slightly with the wavelength of light, causing different colors to bend at different angles. This dispersion effect leads to the formation of the continuous spectrum of colors observed when white light passes through a glass prism.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...