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Why does ray of light splits when passed from prism?

Question

Why does ray of light splits when passed from prism?

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Solution

The splitting of a ray of light when it passes through a prism is due to a phenomenon called refraction. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. When a ray of light hits the surface of the prism, it slows down and bends towards the normal line (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of contact). This is because light travels slower in denser mediums like glass compared to air.

  2. As the light ray exits the prism, it speeds up and bends away from the normal line because it's moving from a denser medium (glass) to a less dense medium (air).

  3. The degree to which the light ray bends, or its angle of refraction, depends on the wavelength of the light. Different colors of light have different wavelengths. Red light has the longest wavelength and bends the least, while violet light has the shortest wavelength and bends the most.

  4. Because of this difference in bending, the colors in the light ray spread out and form a spectrum of colors. This is why a ray of light splits when it passes through a prism.

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