Question

The splitting of white light into its seven constituent colors is called?
A. Reflection of light
B. Dispersion
C. Refraction
D. Deviation

Answer 1

Hint: Light popularly known as the visible light is an electromagnetic radiation. All electromagnetic waves can be produced by an accelerated charged particle or by a charged particle which is vibrating and electromagnetic rays have their unique properties which makes them stand out of all the radiations that exist in nature. Here we are talking about white light which we get from the sun.

Complete step by step solution:
Let us look at all the options given. – Refraction of light is a type of process in which light travels from one medium to another. In refraction, there is a bending of light which takes place and this is a type of deviation from its path in which it was travelling. So, this is not a correct option.

Reflection of light, the light does not change its medium and continue to move in the same medium. Only the direction of propagation changes. So, this is not the correct option. The phenomenon of splitting of white light into its constituent colors is called dispersion of light, and this can be observed after the rain showers, in bright sky.

Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note: Refraction is sometimes confused with reflection but these two are entirely different phenomena. In reflection there is bouncing back of light into the same medium, and hence speed does not change while in case of refraction speed of light changes on account of change of medium. Dispersion of light can also be observed with the help of a prism. There are different techniques to split the white light.