Which of the following conditions are required to observe light dispersion through media (choose all that are required):

Question

a) The refractive index of the media must depend on the wavelength of light.

b) The media must be a prism.

c) The media must be a solid.

d) More than one color of light must enter the media.

e) None of the above.

Answer 1

Dispersion occurs when different wavelengths of light separate from each other. In order to have dispersion, you need to have more than one color, by definition, so D is correct. Light bends and refracts based on a material's index of refraction. In order to separate the light, the index of refraction must be different for different wavelengths (or colors) of light, so A is correct. The index of refraction applies to all materials, solids, liquids, or gasses. A good example of this is rainbows. Rainbows are just light being dispersed through water droplets. Therefore, the medium doesn't have to be just a prism, and the medium doesn't have to be solid, so B and C are incorrect.