Dispersion and Scattering of Light

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Dispersion is the splitting of white light into its constituent colours (wavelengths) when it passes through a dispersive medium like a prism. Key Difference: • Refraction = bending of light at an in…

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Key Formula: μ = c/v = λ_air / λ_medium Where: • c = speed of light in vacuum = 3 × 10⁸ m/s • v = speed of light in the medium • λ_air = wavelength in air, λ_medium = wavelength in the medium Relati…

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Given: • λ_air (average incident) = 600 nm • λ_medium1 = 384 nm (inside prism) • λ_medium2 = 760 nm (inside prism) Formula: μ = λ_air / λ_medium Step 1 – For 384 nm: μ₁ = 600 nm / 384 nm = 1.5625 ≈ …

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Setup: • Light PQ hits face AB of prism ABC at point Q • Refracts inside as QR, exits from face AC as RS • r₁ = angle of refraction at AB, r₂ = angle of refraction at AC Step 1 – Angle of deviation δ…

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Angle of Minimum Deviation (δₘ): As the angle of incidence i increases, the angle of deviation δ first decreases, reaches a minimum value δₘ, then increases again. Special condition at minimum deviat…

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Formula: μ = sin[(A + δₘ)/2] / sin(A/2) Derivation: At minimum deviation condition: • i = (A + δₘ)/2 [from i + e = A + δₘ and i = e] • r = A/2 [from r₁ + r₂ = A and r₁ = r₂] Applying Snell's law a…

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Given: • A = 60° • δₘ = 39° Formula: μ = sin[(A + δₘ)/2] / sin(A/2) Step 1 – Calculate numerator: (A + δₘ)/2 = (60° + 39°)/2 = 99°/2 = 49.5° sin(49.5°) = 0.760 Step 2 – Calculate denominator: A/2 =…

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Given: • A = 60° • δₘ = A/2 = 30° Formula: μ = sin[(A + δₘ)/2] / sin(A/2) Step 1: (A + δₘ)/2 = (60° + 30°)/2 = 90°/2 = 45° sin(45°) = 1/√2 = 0.7071 Step 2: A/2 = 30° sin(30°) = 0.5 Step 3: μ = (1/…