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Light changes speed as it moves from one medium to another (for example, from air into the glass of the prism). This speed change causes the light to be refracted and to enter the new medium at a different angle. The degree of bending of the light's path depends on the angle that the incident beam of light makes with the surface, and on the ratio between the refractive indices of the two media. The refractive index of many materials (such as glass) varies with the wavelength or color of the light used, a phenomenon known as dispersion. This causes light of different colors to be refracted differently and to leave the prism at different angles, creating an effect similar to a rainbow.

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Q: How does a prism separate white light into the colors of the spectrum?
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Related questions

What did newtons use to separate white light into a spectrum of colors?

a prism


Which scientific tool can also separate white light into a spectrum of colors?

A prism


How does light separate into the colors of the visible spectrum?

When light goes through a prism, it separates into a rainbow.


What did newton use to separate white light into spectrum of colors?

Newton Discovered that White light comprised of the entire spectrum of the visible wave length. When white light was shone through a triangular prism, it refracted the entire color spectrum.


Where you see a spectrum of colours?

If you pass white light through a prism, it will separate out into the individual colors of the visible spectrum.


How a prism can obtain a spectrum of colors?

the prism can obtained coloured of light in prism due to disperion of light


Why does a prism cause white light to separate into colors of spectrum's?

Light bends in glass dependent on its thickness. Violet comes from the thin part and red from the thick part of a prism.


Why does a prism cause white light to separate into colors of a spectrum?

Light bends in glass dependent on its thickness. Violet comes from the thin part and red from the thick part of a prism.


When sunlight passes through a prism the different wavelengths separate into an what of colors?

A spectrum. The rainbow is an example of refracted light.


All of the colors in white light are visable when white light is?

Yes, although the separate colors are perceived to your eye as white. If you have a prism you can separate white light into the continuous color spectrum. This effect is also achieved in rainbows.


Why does a prism cause white light to separate into colors of the color spectrum?

Light bends in glass dependent on its thickness. Violet comes from the thin part and red from the thick part of a prism.


What can be used to separate light into all of the colors?

A prism can be used to separate light into its component colors.