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prism disperses white light, forming a spectrum. Which of the following is the best explanation for this phenomenon?
a
Different frequencies of visible light move at different speeds in the prism.
b
The white light undergoes partial reflection inside the prism.
c
The white light undergoes partial absorption inside the prism.
d
Different frequencies of visible light are absorbed at different
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a
A prism disperses white light because the refractive index of the glass depends on wavelength (frequency). Different colours travel at different speeds in the prism (v = c/n(λ)), so by Snell's law each wavelength is refracted by a different angle. That wavelength-dependent refraction separates the colours into a spectrum. Options b and c describe loss or reflection, not wavelength-dependent refraction; d (different absorption) would remove colours, not spatially separate them.
A prism disperses white light because the refractive index of the glass depends on wavelength (frequency). Different colours travel at different speeds in the prism (v = c/n(λ)), so by Snell's law each wavelength is refracted by a different angle. That wavelength-dependent refraction separates the colours into a spectrum. Options b and c describe loss or reflection, not wavelength-dependent refraction; d (different absorption) would remove colours, not spatially separate them.
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