Q. When sunlight is incident on a prism, it produces a spectrum due to

A) Interference of light
B) Diffraction of light
C) Total internal reflection
D) Variation in speeds of different colours of light in the prism
Explanation

(d) When sunlight is incident on a prism, it produces spectrum due to refraction of light. Refraction is the change in direction of a wave due to a chance in its velocity. Glass has a higher refractive index than air and the different frequencies of light travel at different speeds (dispersion), causing them to be refracted at different angles. The different frequencies correspond to different colours observed.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.