Dispersion

Definition

Dispersion is the phenomenon where light separates into its constituent colors when passing through a medium. It occurs because different wavelengths of light are refracted by different amounts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dispersion causes the formation of a spectrum when white light passes through a prism.
2. The degree of dispersion depends on the refractive index of the medium and the wavelength of light.
3. Shorter wavelengths (blue/violet) are refracted more than longer wavelengths (red).
4. Dispersion is crucial in various optical instruments, including microscopes, as it affects image clarity and color accuracy.
5. Chromatic aberration in lenses is a result of dispersion, leading to color fringes around images.

Review Questions

• What causes dispersion when light passes through a medium?
• How does dispersion affect the appearance of white light?
• Why is understanding dispersion important for improving microscopy?

Related terms

Refraction:

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Wavelength:

The distance between successive peaks in a wave, determining its color in visible light.

Chromatic Aberration: A type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same point.