Prisms and Polychromatic Light Dispersal

Most recent answer: 02/22/2016

Q:
If a poly chromatic light is directed perpendicular to the side of the glass prism (that coincides with the normal) will the light still disperse?
- nikhil (age 14)
Indore, MP,India
A:

There won't be any angular dispersal at that surface where the light enters normal to the surface. When the light exits, however, it will go through a different surface at a different angle, and it will disperse there.

Mike W.


(published on 02/22/2016)