Prism and Dispersion
Prism and Dispersion: Overview
In this topic, we will study the dispersion of white light by a prism along with an activity. It explains the splitting of white light and the reasons why dispersion occurs. We will also learn about the formation of rainbow.
Important Questions on Prism and Dispersion
The danger signals installed at the top of tall buildings are red in colour. These can be easily seen from a distance because among all other colours, the red light

Why are red coloured lights are used in traffic signals to stop the vehicles?

Red light is used as danger signal because it is:

Give scientific reason: Danger signals are red in colour.

What is the incident ray and emergent ray?

What do you mean by dispersion of white light? Draw a ray diagram indicating the dispersion of white light from a prism. Describe the cause of dispersion. Draw a ray diagram indicating the recombination of the spectrum of white light and explain.

What you mean by a rainbow? What are the conditions that help in the formation of a rainbow? Draw a ray diagram indicating the formation of a rainbow and explain.

Select proper answer. Red colour is used as danger signal.



Explain the refraction of light through a prism with the help of a diagram.

The ray coming out of a glass after refraction is known as the emergent ray.

If the phenomenon of dispersion doesn't exist, which of the following won't be observed?


A ray is incident at an angle of incidence on one surface of a prism at small angle and comes out normally from the opposite surface. Hence, the angle of emergence is _____ degree.

A glass slab ray diagram is given below as a reference. If the incident angle is , what is the angle of emergence?

Explain angle of emergence in a rectangular glass slab.

Emergent ray is _____ to the direction of incident ray in a glass slab.

The colour of light which suffers the least deviation when passed through the prism is_______.

Two surfaces of a prism are transparent and are known as the_____surfaces.
