Question

1. With the help of a labelled ray diagram show the path followed by a narrow beam of monochromatic light when it passes through a glass prism.
2. What would happen if this beam is replaced by a narrow beam of white light?

Answer 1

(a) In case of monochromatic light, the ray will bend due to refraction but it will not show dispersion of light.

(b) A combination of narrow beams of seven colours will result by replacing a narrow beam of monochromatic light with a beam of white light. Dispersion of white light is the phenomenon where white light splits into its seven basic colours when it travels through a glass prism. Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red are among the colours that are visible. In relation to the incidence angle, the various component colours of light bend at different angles.