The diagram shows a beam of white light undergoing refraction and dispersion as it passes through a prism - Leaving Cert Physics - Question Part (b) - 2013
Question Part (b)
The diagram shows a beam of white light undergoing refraction and dispersion as it passes through a prism.
(i) What is meant by dispersion?
(ii) What is observed o... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows a beam of white light undergoing refraction and dispersion as it passes through a prism - Leaving Cert Physics - Question Part (b) - 2013
Step 1
What is meant by dispersion?
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Answer
Dispersion refers to the process of splitting or separating white light into its constituent colors or wavelengths. This occurs because different wavelengths of light travel at different speeds in a medium, leading to a separation of colors.
Step 2
What is observed on the screen between X and Y?
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On the screen between X and Y, a spectrum of different colors is observed. This spectrum typically displays several colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, indicating the different wavelengths of light that have been refracted and spread out.
Step 3
What information does dispersion give about the nature of white light?
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Dispersion shows that white light is composed of various colors, each with different wavelengths. This indicates that white light is not a single entity but rather a mixture of multiple colors, behaving like a wave that can be separated into its constituent parts.
Step 4
Give another method for the dispersion of light.
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Another method for the dispersion of light involves using a diffraction grating. This device separates light into its component colors by exploiting the wave nature of light, similar to how a prism functions.
Step 5
Give an everyday example of the dispersion of light.
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An everyday example of the dispersion of light can be observed in a rainbow. A rainbow forms when light is refracted and dispersed in water droplets in the atmosphere, resulting in a spectrum of colors appearing in the sky.
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