Photo AI
What is meant by dispersion of light? What does dispersion of light indicate about the nature of white light? Name two laboratory techniques that can be used to cause dispersion of light - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2015
Question b
What is meant by dispersion of light? What does dispersion of light indicate about the nature of white light? Name two laboratory techniques that can be used to ca... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What is meant by dispersion of light? What does dispersion of light indicate about the nature of white light? Name two laboratory techniques that can be used to cause dispersion of light - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2015
Step 1
What is meant by dispersion of light?
Answer
Dispersion of light refers to the process in which white light separates into its constituent colors when passing through a medium, such as a prism. This separation occurs because different wavelengths (or frequencies) of light are refracted by different amounts, leading to a spread of colors from red to violet.
Step 2
What does dispersion of light indicate about the nature of white light?
Answer
Dispersion of light indicates that white light is not a single color but a combination of multiple colors. It shows that white light consists of different wavelengths which can be separated, highlighting the concept that light can possess a spectrum that encompasses various colors.
Step 3
Name two laboratory techniques that can be used to cause dispersion of light.
Answer
- Refraction: Utilizing a transparent medium like glass or perspex can cause the refraction of light, leading to its dispersion.
- Diffraction: Employing a diffraction grating, such as a CD, can also effectively separate light into its component colors.
Step 4
Describe one example of dispersion of light occurring in nature.
Answer
One example of dispersion of light in nature is the appearance of a rainbow. When sunlight passes through raindrops in the atmosphere, it refracts and splits into its component colors, creating a circular spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet visible in the sky.
Step 5
Explain why this is so.
Answer
The reason only red, green, and blue lights are needed to create all the colors is because these three are the primary colors of light. By mixing these three colors in various combinations, it is possible to produce a wide spectrum of colors. Each color perceived by our eyes corresponds to specific combinations of these primary colors.