Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    ashishhawking's Avatar
    ashishhawking Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 8, 2007, 10:32 PM
    Questions of refractions
    Why does not light split into 7 colors like when it is passed through glass?
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 9, 2007, 12:32 AM
    It does, Refractive index depends on frequency, but with some materials it is a much smaller difference, maybe such that it isn't noticeable in the visible spectrum.
    asterisk_man's Avatar
    asterisk_man Posts: 476, Reputation: 32
    Full Member
    		  
    #3

    Mar 9, 2007, 06:52 PM
    Capuchin, you are forgetting one thing. Refraction only occurs when light passes from one medium into another medium which has a different index of refraction. Therefore, white light traveling through just air (or any single medium) will not separate. Or am I missing the point of your story?
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Mar 10, 2007, 02:18 AM
    I believe he's asking why it doesn't separate when it passes from air, to glass, to air, that's what I took from "through glass".

    It all depends on the angles of the edges, if the glass edges are parallel, when it passes into the glass, all the colours separate slightly, then when it pases back out, the colours are not separate but travelling parallel.

    However if you have a triangular prism, then both interfaces refract in the same direction, giving a larger angle of separation for the light, so you see the split colors more easily.
    asterisk_man's Avatar
    asterisk_man Posts: 476, Reputation: 32
    Full Member
    		  
    #5

    Mar 10, 2007, 06:24 AM
    OK. I totally agree with your conclusions based on your assumptions of the question. We just disagree on the question.

    Wouldn't it be lovely if people who asked questions stuck around to help with the answer :)
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Are You Pregnant Or Think You Are? Have Questions? Post New Questions Here.. [ 21 Answers ]

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you think you might be pregnant, or are pregnant, post your questions here, as the other thread is getting so large that it's hard to keep them organized. Also, if you are a teen and have questions and/or fears, let us know and we'll help as best as we can, or find...

5 Questions [ 4 Answers ]

The first question is about a song I believe is from Johnny English. They say "Your Unbelievable" a lot. The next one is a rock song. The Lyrics are "Headstrong we'll take you on, we're not afraid of anyone" The next question is a rap song. It goes "Let me put your arms around your waist,...

View more questions Search