Light dispersion is the phenomenon where white light is separated into its component colors when passing through a prism. This is possible due to the properties of light, such as:
1. Refraction: When light travels from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, it changes speed and direction. This change in speed causes the different colors of light to bend at slightly different angles, resulting in the separation of colors.
2. Wavelength: Each color of light has a different wavelength, with red light having the longest wavelength and violet light having the shortest. When passing through a prism, the different colors of light are refracted by different amounts due to their different wavelengths, leading to their separation.
3. Dispersion: The process of separating white light into its component colors is known as dispersion. This is made possible by the combination of the properties of refraction and wavelength, allowing the colors of the visible spectrum to be displayed in order from longest (red) to shortest (violet) wavelength.
In the picture of light dispersion of a mercury-vapor lamp with a prism made of flint glass, we can see the colors of the visible spectrum (orange, green, and blue) separated by the prism, showcasing the properties of light that allow this phenomenon to occur.
Describe the properties of light that allow the phenomenon in the picture below to occur.
(The picture: Light dispersion of a mercury-vapor lamp with a prism made of flint glass. White light is dispersed by a prism into the colors (orange, green, and blue) of the visible spectrum.)
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