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What is dispersion, as the term is used for a prism splitting white light?
AThe complete absorption of every wavelength inside the prism
BThe reflection of white light straight back out of the prism
CThe spreading of white light into the wavelengths it is made of
DThe bending of a single wavelength through exactly ninety degrees
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The spreading of white light into the wavelengths it is made of
1. Dispersion is the spreading of white light into the separate wavelengths that make it up.
2. It happens because the index of refraction of the prism material varies slightly with wavelength.
3. Absorption would remove the light rather than spread it into colours, so that option does not match dispersion.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Mirrors and Lenses", section 16.2 Refraction_
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