Rainbows

Question 1

What is dispersion?

Answer 1

The separation of white light into the colours of the visible light spectrum.

Question 2

What is the order of the colours in the visible light spectrum?

Answer 2

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

Question 3

How are rainbows formed?

Answer 3

1) The light from the sun is dispersed when it enters a raindrop
2) The many colours from the ray of light are then reflected off the back of the raindrop
3) While exiting the raindrop the light refracts (bends) as it goes from water to air.

Question 4

(T or F) In dispersion, different colours are slowed down by different amounts, causing some light rays to refract (bend) by different amounts

Answer 4

True

Question 5

How can you create a visible spectrum in a lab?

Answer 5

Using a prism and a light box.