
What is meant by dispersion of white light? Describe the formation of a rainbow in the sky with the help of a diagram.
Answer
419.1k+ views
Hint: In order to understand this problem we should first understand about prism which will help us to understand dispersion. A prism is a three-dimensional solid object with two identical ends. It's the result of the flat faces, similar bases, and equal cross-sections coming together. Without the bases, the prism's faces are parallelograms or rectangles. The prism's bases could be a triangle, square, rectangle, or any other n-sided polygon.
Complete answer:
When white light passes through a prism, it splits into seven constituent colours, which is known as dispersion. When white light passes through a glass prism, it separates into its spectrum of colours (in order violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red), a process known as dispersion.
The rainbow is formed when sunlight splits due to water drops suspended in the air, resulting in a band of seven colors. In the sky, water droplets act as tiny prisms. When sunlight enters these small droplets, it undergoes internal reflection and also refracts these rays, resulting in a rainbow band of seven colors. Rainbows always form in the opposite direction of the sun.
Note: The varying degrees of refraction experienced by different colors of light cause dispersion. In a vacuum, different colors of light move at the same speed, but in a refracting material, they travel at different rates. Violet light travels at a much slower rate than red light.
Complete answer:
When white light passes through a prism, it splits into seven constituent colours, which is known as dispersion. When white light passes through a glass prism, it separates into its spectrum of colours (in order violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red), a process known as dispersion.
The rainbow is formed when sunlight splits due to water drops suspended in the air, resulting in a band of seven colors. In the sky, water droplets act as tiny prisms. When sunlight enters these small droplets, it undergoes internal reflection and also refracts these rays, resulting in a rainbow band of seven colors. Rainbows always form in the opposite direction of the sun.

Note: The varying degrees of refraction experienced by different colors of light cause dispersion. In a vacuum, different colors of light move at the same speed, but in a refracting material, they travel at different rates. Violet light travels at a much slower rate than red light.
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 11 Science PCM | CBSE | SCHOOL | English
CBSE (2025-26)
School Full course for CBSE students
₹41,848 per year
Recently Updated Pages
Master Class 10 Computer Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 10 Maths: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 10 English: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 10 General Knowledge: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 10 Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 10 Social Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Trending doubts
The Equation xxx + 2 is Satisfied when x is Equal to Class 10 Maths

Which one is a true fish A Jellyfish B Starfish C Dogfish class 10 biology CBSE

Fill the blanks with proper collective nouns 1 A of class 10 english CBSE

Why is there a time difference of about 5 hours between class 10 social science CBSE

What is the median of the first 10 natural numbers class 10 maths CBSE

Change the following sentences into negative and interrogative class 10 english CBSE
