Dispersion

Dispersion is a phenomenon in physics where light is separated into its individual colors. This is typically achieved by passing light through a prism, which causes the different wavelengths of light to bend by different amounts, resulting in the separation of colors.

Study Guide

1. Definition: Dispersion is the separation of light into its individual colors.
2. Prism: A prism is often used to demonstrate dispersion. When light enters a prism, it is refracted at different angles based on its wavelength, causing the colors to spread out.
3. Wavelength: Different colors of light have different wavelengths. For example, red light has a longer wavelength compared to blue light.
4. Visible Spectrum: The visible spectrum is the range of colors that can be seen by the human eye when light is dispersed. It consists of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
5. Applications: Dispersion is used in various applications, such as in spectroscopy to analyze the composition of materials based on the light they emit or absorb.
6. Rainbow Formation: Rainbows are a natural example of dispersion, where sunlight is dispersed by water droplets in the atmosphere, creating a beautiful spectrum of colors.

Understanding dispersion is important in the field of physics and optics, as it provides insights into the behavior of light and its interaction with different materials.