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vinanxi
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Why white ray of light gets refracted in prism but not in plain mirror?
Defraction of Light: Why White Ray of Light Refracts in Prism
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In summary, diffraction of light is the bending or spreading of light waves as they pass through a narrow opening or around an obstacle due to the wave-like nature of light. A prism causes diffraction of light by separating a white ray of light into its component colors through refraction. This is because a white ray of light is made up of all the colors of the visible spectrum, and the different wavelengths of each color are refracted at different angles in a prism. The angle of incidence, or the angle at which light enters a medium, affects the amount of diffraction that occurs. Diffraction of light has many practical applications, such as creating rainbows, optical illusions, and holograms, and is also used in technologies like fiber optics
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tiny-tim
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welcome to pf!
hi vinanxi! welcome to pf!
because white light is a mixture of rays of different colours (different frequencies), all going at the same speed in vacuum or in air
when they go through a prism, they move at different speeds, but if they just bounce off a mirror, their speed is not affected
hi vinanxi! welcome to pf!
because white light is a mixture of rays of different colours (different frequencies), all going at the same speed in vacuum or in air
when they go through a prism, they move at different speeds, but if they just bounce off a mirror, their speed is not affected
FAQ: Defraction of Light: Why White Ray of Light Refracts in Prism
What is diffraction of light?
Diffraction of light is a phenomenon where light waves bend or spread out as they pass through a narrow opening or around an obstacle. This is due to the wave-like nature of light.
How does a prism cause diffraction of light?
A prism is a triangular glass or plastic object that can refract, or bend, light. When a white ray of light enters a prism, it is separated into its component colors by refraction, causing the diffraction of light.
Why does a white ray of light refract in a prism?
A white ray of light is made up of all the colors of the visible spectrum. When this light enters a prism, the different wavelengths of each color are refracted at different angles, causing the separation of colors and the diffraction of light.
What is the relationship between diffraction of light and the angle of incidence?
The angle of incidence, or the angle at which light enters a medium, affects the amount of diffraction that occurs. A smaller angle of incidence will result in less diffraction, while a larger angle of incidence will result in more diffraction.
How is diffraction of light useful in everyday life?
Diffraction of light has many practical applications, such as in the creation of rainbows, optical illusions, and holograms. It is also used in technologies such as fiber optics and laser technology.