Dispersion

Definition

Dispersion is the process by which white light separates into its component colors when passing through a medium, like a prism. It occurs because different wavelengths of light refract by different amounts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dispersion causes the formation of a spectrum from white light.
2. Different wavelengths of light refract at different angles, leading to dispersion.
3. In astronomy, dispersion helps analyze the composition and properties of celestial objects.
4. Spectrometers utilize dispersion to separate incoming light into spectra for study.
5. The amount of dispersion depends on the refractive index of the medium and the wavelength of light.

Review Questions

• What causes white light to separate into its component colors?
• Why do different wavelengths of light refract by different amounts?
• How is dispersion used in astronomical spectroscopy?

Related terms

Refraction:

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different density.

Spectrum:

The range of different colors produced when light is dispersed by a prism or diffraction grating.

Wavelength:

The distance between successive peaks (or troughs) in a wave, typically measured in nanometers for light waves.