Which term refers to the separation of different colors of light as it passes through a prism?

Which term refers to the separation of different colors of light as it passes through a prism?

• A. Diffraction
• B. Refraction
• C. Chromatic aberration
• D. Chromatic dispersion

Answer: (D)

The separation of different colors of light as it passes through a prism is referred to as chromatic dispersion. This phenomenon occurs due to the fact that different wavelengths of light travel at slightly different speeds when they enter a medium like glass. Each color of light has its own wavelength, and as the light transitions from air into the prism, the shorter wavelengths (like blue) are bent more than the longer wavelengths (like red). This bending, or refraction, results in a spread of colors, producing a spectrum. In essence, chromatic dispersion is the specific term that describes how this separation takes place within a material, leading to the familiar display of colors seen when light passes through a prism. It’s important to differentiate this from other related terms: while refraction is the bending of light in general, and chromatic aberration refers to the distortion caused by differing colors not coming to the same focus, chromatic dispersion specifically addresses the process by which colors are separated in a prism.

The separation of different colors of light as it passes through a prism is referred to as chromatic dispersion. This phenomenon occurs due to the fact that different wavelengths of light travel at slightly different speeds when they enter a medium like glass. Each color of light has its own wavelength, and as the light transitions from air into the prism, the shorter wavelengths (like blue) are bent more than the longer wavelengths (like red). This bending, or refraction, results in a spread of colors, producing a spectrum.

In essence, chromatic dispersion is the specific term that describes how this separation takes place within a material, leading to the familiar display of colors seen when light passes through a prism. It’s important to differentiate this from other related terms: while refraction is the bending of light in general, and chromatic aberration refers to the distortion caused by differing colors not coming to the same focus, chromatic dispersion specifically addresses the process by which colors are separated in a prism.