Physics Review Question

Unit: waves
Year: 1988 Question#: 41
Question: When a ray of white light is refracted, the component color that has the greatest change in direction is

(1 ) Orange
(2 ) Red
(3 ) Violet
(4 ) Green

What is this question really asking?




Explanation by: Yui H.

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Answer 1
Orange

INCORRECT

This answer is incorrect because orange has lower frequency than violet and higher frequency of light travels more slowly when it enters a new medium. As a result it has greatest change in direction. Orange travels faster so it doesn't bend as much. return to top























Answer 2
Red

INCORRECT

This answer is incorrect because red has lowest frequency in the white light and also red is far from the natural frequency of transperent material so it will travel faster and does not slow down as much. As a result, it does not bend as much. return to top



























Answer 3
violet

correct

This answer is correct because violet has frequency closer to the natural frequency of transparent materials. Light of frequency closer to the natural frequency travels more slowly in the medium because there is more interaction with the medium. As a result, violet bends more. return to top


























Answer 4
Green

INCORRECT

This answer is incorrect because green has lower frequency than violet. Higher frequency of light travels more slowly when it enters a new medium. As a result it has greatest change in direction. Green travels faster so it doesn't bend as much. return to top


























What's this question really asking?


Which color has the greatest change in direction? return to top

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