White light refers to a combination of all visible colors of light, ranging from red to violet. When white light passes through a prism or diffracts through a narrow opening, it splits into its component colors due to a phenomenon called dispersion. This results in the formation of a spectrum, which is a range of colors comprising the visible light spectrum.
On the other hand, multiple slits refer to a setup commonly known as a diffraction grating. It consists of multiple narrow slits or closely spaced parallel lines etched onto a surface. When light passes through the slits or interacts with the grating, it diffracts, resulting in a pattern of bright and dark fringes. This phenomenon is known as diffraction.
The key difference between white light and multiple slits (diffraction grating) lies in their nature and behavior. White light is a combination of all visible colors, and when it interacts with a prism or narrow opening, it separates into its constituent colors due to dispersion.
On the other hand, a diffraction grating, with its multiple slits or closely spaced lines, causes diffraction of light. It produces a pattern of interference fringes, where the constructive and destructive interference of light waves lead to alternating bright and dark regions.
In summary, white light refers to a combination of all colors of visible light, while multiple slits or a diffraction grating is a setup that causes diffraction of light, resulting in a pattern of interference fringes.