A glass prism splits white light into different colours. This phenomenon is called dispersion of light by prism. Which one of the following statements is correct ?
[amp_mcq option1=”Red light will deviate the most and it is because of the reflection of light.” option2=”Violet light will deviate the most and it is because of the refraction of light.” option3=”Red light will deviate the most and it is because of the refraction of light.” option4=”Violet light will deviate the most and it is because of the reflection of light.” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
– This occurs because the refractive index of the prism material is different for different wavelengths (colours) of light; this phenomenon is called refraction.
– The deviation angle for a given colour depends on the refractive index for that colour.
– Violet light has the shortest wavelength and the highest refractive index in glass, causing it to bend the most.
– Red light has the longest wavelength and the lowest refractive index in glass, causing it to bend the least.
– Dispersion is a phenomenon of refraction, not reflection. Reflection is the bouncing back of light from a surface.