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The Refraction of White Light to Produce Colours.
What is a Spectrum?
The dispersing of light
or other electromagnetic radiation
into its component parts produces a spectrum.
A glass
prism of angle 60 degrees can
disperse
white light
into its different colours. See the picture below.
What are the Colours of the Spectrum
of White Light?
The seven
colours of light are
Red, Orange, Yellow,
Green, Blue, Indigo and
violet.
You can remember the colours and
order by remembering
Richard of York gave battle
in vain.
The different colours of
light have each
a different frequency and wavelength.
The different colours are refracted by different amounts.
Red
light has the longest
wavelength and is refracted least.
Violet light has the shortest wavelength
and is refracted most.
The source of light may also emit infra-red and ultraviolet light.
Infra-red
is heat radiation with a
longer wavelength than red light.
A thermometer placed at IR will show a rise
in temperature.
Ultraviolet
light has a shorter wavelength
than violet light.
A fluorescent
material will glow when placed at UV.
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Light
Revision Questions
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