How is refraction related to dispersion?

Dispersion is defined to be the spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths. Refraction is responsible for dispersion in rainbows and many other situations. The angle of refraction depends on the index of refraction, as we saw in The Law of Refraction.

Is dispersion and refraction the same thing?

The key difference between the two is that dispersion is referring to the frequency dependence (which is the ability to separate different colors of light) while refraction is referring to the bending of light in a material. Make two diagrams to explain refraction and dispersion.

What happens if there is no dispersion of light?

After refraction at two parallel faces of a glass slab, a ray of light emerges in a direction parallel to the direction of incidence of white light on the slab. As rays of all colours emerge in the same direction (of incidence of white light), hence, there is no dispersion, but only lateral displacement.

Why does dispersion occur when white light passes through a prism?

When white light is made to pass through a prism, a spectrum of seven colours is formed which shows that white light is a mixture of seven different colours. White light dispersion occurs because, as they pass through a prism, different colours of light bend through different angles with respect to the incident ray.

When can you have refraction without dispersion?

If you do not have refraction at all (flat glass hit at right angle) or only little of it (lenses) the effect of dispersion is much less visible because there is less (or no) eventual angular separation of the different wavelengths.

Is refraction possible without dispersion?

YES, 100\% refraction is definitely possible.

Why there is no dispersion in glass slab?

The dispersion occurs in prism but not in glass slab because of the geometric design. In a slab, the opposite sides are parallel to each other whereas, in the case of the prism, the sides are not parallel to each other. They travel a very small distance in the glass slab to meet the second interface.

Is there no dispersion of light refracted through a rectangular glass slab?

There is no dispersion of light refracted through a rectangular glass slab.

Why dispersion occurs only in prism?

The dispersion occurs in prism but not in glass slab because of the geometric design. In a slab, the opposite sides are parallel to each other whereas in the case of the prism, the sides are not parallel to each other. They travel a very small distance in the glass slab to meet the second interface.

What is dispersion of light what is the cause of dispersion?

The phenomenon of splitting of visible light into its component colors is called dispersion. Dispersion of light is caused by the change of speed of light ray (resulting in angle of deviation) of each wavelength by a different amount. The dispersion of a light wave by a prism is shown in the diagram.