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[Solved] How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum
How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum?
Red light has a lower frequency than violet light. As speed of light = wavelength * frequency, red light has a larger wavelength than violet light.
For a prism to split the visible waves of varying wavelengths that collectively add up to form white light, the angles at which the waves are bent need to be different between the two extremes of red light and violet light.
Where I'm stuck is, how and why is the angle of refraction different between red light waves and violet light waves?
Homework Statement
How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum?
Homework Equations
Red light has a lower frequency than violet light. As speed of light = wavelength * frequency, red light has a larger wavelength than violet light.
The Attempt at a Solution
For a prism to split the visible waves of varying wavelengths that collectively add up to form white light, the angles at which the waves are bent need to be different between the two extremes of red light and violet light.
Where I'm stuck is, how and why is the angle of refraction different between red light waves and violet light waves?
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