Refraction Of Light

Question 1

Why white light produces a spectrum of colours when passing through a prism

Answer 1

White light is made up of a range of frequencies
Refractive index increases with frequency
Blue light deviates more than red
Prism sides slope in opposite directions
When light leaves the colours are spread further apart

Question 2

When light passes from air into another material…

Answer 2

Speed decreases
Angle relative to the normal decreases
Wavelength decreases
Frequency stays the same

Question 3

When light passes from another material into air…

Answer 3

Speed increases
Angle relative to the normal increases
Wavelength increases
Frequency stays the same

Question 4

Basic white light spectrum fact

Answer 4

Refractive index is different for different frequencies/colours

Question 5

Why an angle is equal to a critical angle

Answer 5

Refracted Ray is along the surface of the water

Refracted Ray = 90 degrees

Question 6

Total internal reflection diagram should show…

Answer 6

Equal angles on both sides of the normal