does the colour of a light ray change when the ray refracts?

Question

we know that......when light ray refracts wavelength changes.....we also know that colour is related with wavelength.......so when a red light ray refracts does it change into another coloured ray?????

pearlsawme.........how can u say that colour does not depend on wavelength but its something related to sensation in the eye...........

Answer 1

No. The wavelength does change when it enters the medium, but changes back when it exits, and the frequency never changes. It's the frequency or, equivalently, the wavelength in air that defines its color. If the light contains many colors (such as white light), refraction with only separate the light into its various colors because they refract at slightly different angles. That separation is preserved upon exit.

Answer 2

When a ray of light enters a medium other than air its velocity decreases ; frequency remains the same.

v = n λ,

Since v decreases λ, increases.

But color is a concept which depends upon our sensation of our eye. It is not the property of the ray.

Certain range of frequencies produce a sensation of red and certain range of frequencies produce a sensation of blue and another range of frequencies produce the sensation of blue.

If each frequency produces a particular then there is no limit to the number of colors.

Further on refraction frequency remains the same. So one can conclude color remains the same. But it is wrong. It is because color is the sensation produced by our eye nerves and
one cannot say about color in a refracted ray.

Answer 3

Well yes, yes we do know that. A light ray refracts, and the colour and wavelength is altered according to what it refracts through, and at what angle. A red light ray will, when refracted, change colour. The colour it will change to after refraction can be determined by what angle it refracts on, and what colour whatever the red light refracted through. Therefore, colour of refracted red light ray=mix of red and whatever it refracted through.

Answer 4

Light with different colors have different wavelengths. When light in its path of travel enters a medium of different optical density, then it refracts. Its velocity is less in medium of higher optical density and vice versa. Thus its velocity changes. But the frequency of light does not change. Now velocity of light = frequency x wavelength. As the velocity changes and frequency is constant, wavelength changes. So its color changes. Again when it comes out of that medium back to its original medium in which it was travelling, it will regain its color.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

depends on where it hit.