Question

The different colours split in prism because

a.) They follow different paths
b.) the prism offers different refractive index to different colours
c.) of the shape of prism
d.) none of these​

Answer 1

The different colours split in prism because the prism offers different refractive index to different colours .

Answer 2

The different colours split in the prism because b) the prism offers a different refractive index to different colours.

Explanation:

• Splitting of a beam of white light into different colours is a phenomenon called dispersion of light.
• It happens because white light consists of seven different coloured wavelengths. And all the wavelengths have different speed.
• A prism splits the white light into spectrum of seven different colour wavelength.
• This happens because as the light is passed through prism, rays are refracted because of its variable speed in different mediums.
• Each wavelength of light is bent by different angles as each of them is refracted by different amounts depending on their speed.
• Speed of the light is dependent on the refractive index of the medium through which the light is passing.