Allow the light coming out of the other face of a prism to fall on a w...
Observations:
When the light coming out of one face of a prism falls on a white wall or sheet, the following observations can be made:
1. Dispersion: The light splits into its constituent colors, forming a spectrum. This is due to the phenomenon of dispersion, where different colors of light have different wavelengths and refract at different angles as they pass through the prism.
2. Colors of the Spectrum: The spectrum formed on the wall or sheet consists of different colors, namely red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These colors are arranged in a specific order known as the "visible spectrum."
3. Red as the Least Deviated: The red light is the least deviated and appears on one side of the spectrum. This is because red light has the longest wavelength and bends the least while passing through the prism.
4. Violet as the Most Deviated: The violet light is the most deviated and appears on the other side of the spectrum. This is because violet light has the shortest wavelength and bends the most while passing through the prism.
5. Gradual Transition: Between the red and violet colors, there is a gradual transition of colors, with each color blending into the next. This shows the continuous nature of the light spectrum.
6. Color Order: The colors in the spectrum are always in a specific order, with red being the first and violet being the last. This order is a result of the different wavelengths of light and their corresponding angles of refraction.
7. White Light: The original light that falls on the prism is white light, which is a combination of all colors. However, when it passes through the prism, it gets separated into its constituent colors, resulting in the spectrum on the wall or sheet.
Explanation:
When white light enters a prism, it undergoes refraction and dispersion. Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums, causing it to change direction. Dispersion is the phenomenon where different colors of light bend or refract at different angles as they pass through a medium, in this case, a prism.
The prism has two triangular faces and a rectangular cross-section. As the light enters one face of the prism, it refracts at an angle determined by the prism's shape and the properties of the medium it is passing through. The light then undergoes multiple internal reflections inside the prism before emerging out of the other face.
During these internal reflections, the different colors of light experience different angles of refraction due to their varying wavelengths. This leads to the separation of white light into its constituent colors, forming a spectrum. The angle of deviation for each color depends on its wavelength, with longer wavelengths experiencing less deviation and shorter wavelengths experiencing more deviation.
When the light finally exits the prism and falls on a white wall or sheet, the different colors of the spectrum become visible to our eyes. The wall or sheet acts as a surface for the light to reflect off, making the spectrum observable. The colors appear in a specific order due to the varying angles of refraction experienced by each color.
This phenomenon of light dispersion and the formation of a spectrum can be observed experimentally using a prism. It is a fundamental concept in the study of light and helps us understand the behavior of
Allow the light coming out of the other face of a prism to fall on a w...
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