Iona Prep Physics Preview

Here you see white light entering a glass prism and various colors coming out the other side. This is called dispersion:

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Br. Harris
PREVIEW

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Before attempting these questions, read the textbook pages 355-357.
Your answers should be in the form of complete sentences.

1.

The behavior shown in the diagram above is called dispersion. When light enters some substances (including glass) and changes speed, the different colors change speed by slightly different amounts. Since the amount of refraction depends upon the change in speed, and the different colors change speed by different amounts, then it follows that the different colors will be change direction by different amounts. 1. Look at the white light on the left and then at the colored beams on the right. Which of the colors has been bent the least?




2.

All of the colors change speed when entering the glass, but different colors change speed by different amounts. Which of the colors travels the slowest in the glass? EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING.




3.

Suppose a beam of white light were to enter the side of the prism perpendicularly to the surface. What would happen to the beam of light INSIDE the prism? Would the colors travel at different speeds inside the prism? EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING.




4.

Suppose a beam of white light were to enter the side of the prism perpendicularly to the surface. What would happen to the beam of light INSIDE the prism? Would the colors separate by going in different directions? EXPLAIN YOUR REASONING




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Last Update: by Bro. R.W.Harris