Question

The image shows an example of white light entering a prism and coming out as colors of the rainbow.

How does a prism produce the colors of the rainbow from white light?

Responses

by changing the wavelength of white light into other wavelengths

by changing the wavelength of white light into other wavelengths

by separating the light of different wavelengths

by separating the light of different wavelengths

by reflecting light with white wavelengths and transmitting light with colored wavelengths

by reflecting light with white wavelengths and transmitting light with colored wavelengths

by absorbing colorless wavelengths from white light

Answer 1

A prism produces the colors of the rainbow from white light **by separating the light of different wavelengths**. When white light enters the prism, it slows down and bends, or refracts, as it passes through. Different wavelengths (or colors) of light bend by different amounts due to their varying speeds in the prism material. This separation of wavelengths creates a spectrum of colors, typically seen as a rainbow.