Question

Name three factors on which the deviation produced by a prism depends and state how does it depend on the factors stated by you.

Answer 1

The following four factors affect the deviation the prism produces:

1. The angle of incidence: As the angle of incidence increases, first the angle of deviation decreases and reaches a minimum value for a certain angle of incidence. By further increasing the angle of incidence, the angle of deviation is found to increase.
2. The material of the prism (i.e., refractive index): for a given angle of incidence, the prism with a higher refractive index produces a greater deviation than the prism with a lower refractive index.
3. Angle of prism: The angle of deviation increases with the increase in the angle of the prism.
4. The colour or wavelength of light used increases the angle of deviation with a decrease in the wavelength of light.