Unit: waves
Year: 1995 Question#: 47
Question: The diagram shows white light being dispersed as it passes from air into a glass prism. This phenomenon occurs because, in glass, each frequency of light has a different
(1 ) intensity
(2 ) amplitude
(3 ) angle of incidence
(4 ) absolute index of refraction
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Danny A
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Answer 1
intensity
INCORRECT
has nothing to do with what is going on in this picture return to top
Answer 2
amplitude
INCORRECT
Amplitude has nothing to do with what is going on in this picture. return to top
Answer 3
angle of incidence
INCORRECT
This is incorrect because all colors of light were all coming in at the same angle of incidence. return to top
Answer 4
absolute index of refraction
CORRECT
Because when the white light enters the prism each different color has a different index of refraction which means they all slow down differently depending on their frequency. As a result, they all bend differently, spreading out by color. return to top
What's this question really asking?
Why does white light separate out into its component colors as it enters glass? return to top
