Light Dispersion on Prism

Interactive Physics Simulation — Dispersion of White Light

45°
60°
1.52

Dispersion Status

Incident Ray:White Light
Angle of Incidence (θ₁):30.0°
Angle of Refraction (θ₂):19.2°
Colors in Spectrum:7
Prism Material:Crown Glass

What is Dispersion?

White light is a mixture of different colors. When it passes through a prism, each color bends by a different amount because the speed of light in glass depends on the wavelength (color). This spreading of colors is called dispersion.

Snell's Law

n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2

The amount of bending depends on the refractive index (n) of the prism material and the angle of incidence (θ₁). Different wavelengths experience different refractive indices.

Cauchy's Equation

n(λ) = A + B / λ²

The refractive index varies with wavelength λ. Shorter wavelengths (violet) bend more than longer wavelengths (red), creating the rainbow spectrum.

Visible Spectrum

Key Points

• Red light bends the least (longest λ)
• Violet light bends the most (shortest λ)
• The order of colors is ROYGBIV
• Rainbow colors are pure — they cannot be split further
• A wider prism angle increases dispersion