2006-09-14 07:47:50 · 9 answers · asked by eina 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
i mean light spectrum and rainbow ...
2006-09-14 07:48:31 · update #1
Although it is not a complete answer (which involves interactions of light photons with the electrons of atoms and molecules that are transparent) the link shows how a white light beam is refracted into all the colors of the rainbow. Notice that red bends least and violet bends most. Also note that red photons are less energetic with longer wavelengths and are less penetrating than violet photons with shorter wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths translate into more energy. To continue that thought, ultraviolet (not visible) is even more energetic and penetrating and has yet a shorter wavelength. UV can penetrate clouds and give you a sunburn when you believe you are safe (but not red light or infrared light). X-rays have much shorter wavelengths and their photons are energetic enough to pass right through bone and metal. Therefore the bending of different colored lights depends on their wavelengths and the energy of their photons.
2006-09-14 08:35:49 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White light consists of a range of colors. For every wavelength, there is a different angle of refraction when it enters the prism. While passing through the prism, the colors will follow unparallel paths. But when they reach the surface going back to the original medium (probably the air) each color refracts again. The angle is the same angle, but with a minus sign. In a prism the 2 surfaces are not parallel, so the colors head off at an angle to the original path but the colors are again parallel. If instead of a prism, they went through a thick piece of glass, then they each return to the original compass heading - just offset to the side a bit.
2016-03-27 01:23:21 · answer #2 · answered by Dorene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A prism splits up light by refracting it. Refracting is when a ray of light travels through a material denser than air, which bends the light. Refraction can do other things. If you are using a prism, though, it simply splits up the light into the spectrum of light.The spectrum of light is the different wavelengths of light, from longest to shortest, in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. This order - sometimes abbreviated as a name, using the first initials of the colors, Roy G. Biv, is seen in rainbows after it has rained. The water droplets in the air act as prisms for the sunlight, projecting the ROY G. BIV sequence. Thus, white light is all the colors of light mixed together and rainbows are nothing but refracted sunlight.
The different color lights have different wavelengths even though their speed is same.
2006-09-14 07:52:23 · answer #3 · answered by GoodGuy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All colors and or waves are not similar in frequency. Visible light is what you are refering to and has a higher frequency in the darker colors of the spectrum. Blue (cool) has a higher frequency than that of say...Red. Light or electromagnetic radiation effects the environment in various ways. Reflected light bounces off a reflective surface (like a mirror), or it can be absorbed...say by a very dark color, or it will bend (Refract) when it strikes a prism. Think of a deep pool of water. What happens when you shine a light through to the bottom? It bends at a line perpendicular to the surface. Similar to a prism, this happens because the speed of light differs in the two media.
2006-09-14 08:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by brandie m 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Combine this with KES answer.
Both wave-LENGTH and wave-FREQUENCY pass through the prism.
The speed of light is the same; therefore the frequency makes the difference.
Wave-frequency times the speed of light equals the color
frequency of Red = 4.3 x 1014Hz and at the other end, the frequency of violet = 7.5x 1014 Hz
The other colors are between these two.
2006-09-14 08:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by emerald_trout 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You learn more by at least trying to find the answer yourself before asking, and especially before answering. The constant 'c' is the speed of light IN A VACUUM. In glass and many other materials, the speed of light differs with its frequency (wavelength) (color).
2006-09-14 17:11:58 · answer #6 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different frequencies have different energy levels. So they penetrate at different angles which we call it refraction.
2006-09-14 07:50:44 · answer #7 · answered by Dr M 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
different frequencies and wavelengths
2006-09-14 07:50:43 · answer #8 · answered by Ellen N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because they have different fequencies?
2006-09-14 07:49:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋