What do you call the phenomenon that causes dispersion of white light when it passes through a triangular prism

Magic? Refraction?

what is refraction?

The phenomenon that causes dispersion of white light when it passes through a triangular prism is called "dispersion." It refers to the separation of white light into its component colors (such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) due to the different wavelengths of each color. This phenomenon occurs because the refractive index of the prism varies with the wavelength of light.

To understand the phenomenon of dispersion, you can conduct a simple experiment. Here's how:

1. Gather the materials: You will need a transparent triangular prism (usually made of glass or plastic) and a white light source (such as a bright lamp or a flashlight).

2. Set up the experiment: Place the prism on a table or any stable surface. Make sure it is positioned in a way that light can pass through it. Set up the light source so that it directs a beam of white light towards the prism.

3. Observe the phenomenon: Shine the white light beam onto one side of the prism. As the light passes through the prism, you will notice that it bends, or refracts, due to the change in the refractive index. Simultaneously, you will observe that the white light beam separates into a spectrum of colors, spreading out in an arc or fan shape.

4. Study the color separation: Observe the sequence in which the colors appear. The colors usually go from red (with the longest wavelength) to violet (with the shortest wavelength). This arrangement is known as the visible spectrum.

This experiment demonstrates how a triangular prism disperses white light into its constituent colors. It's a fundamental illustration of the science of optics and provides a visual representation of how different wavelengths of light interact with matter.