Crown Glass Prism
For A = 60°, incidence = 45°, n_red = 1.513 and n_violet = 1.532, angular dispersion is approximately 1.83°.
Prism Dispersion Calculator
Calculate light dispersion through prisms with wavelength analysis
Prism Dispersion Visualization
Scroll to zoom • Drag to pan • Zoom: 100%
White light disperses into a colorful spectrum when it passes through a prism. Different colors refract at different angles. Intermediate colors are interpolated from the red and violet refractive indices.
Results
Enter values and click Calculate to see the result.
Theory & Formula
Dispersion is the phenomenon where white light separates into its component colors when passing through a prism.
Why Dispersion Occurs:
- Wavelength Dependence: Refractive index varies with wavelength
- Violet Light: Shorter wavelength (≈400nm), higher n, bends more
- Red Light: Longer wavelength (≈650nm), lower n, bends less
- ROYGBIV: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Deviation Through Prism:
- \(\delta = i_1 + e_2 - A\) (where e₂ is emergence angle)
- Minimum deviation occurs when ray passes symmetrically
- At minimum deviation: \(i_1 = e_2\), \(r_1 = r_2 = A/2\)
- \(\delta_{\text{min}} = 2i_1 - A\); \(n = \frac{\sin[(A + \delta_{\text{min}})/2]}{\sin(A/2)}\)
Angular Dispersion:
- \(\Delta\delta = |\delta_V - \delta_R|\)
- Angular dispersion depends on the difference between the refractive indices at the two wavelengths.
- Flint glass has higher dispersion than crown glass
- Used in spectroscopy to analyze light composition
Applications:
- Rainbows (water droplets)
- Spectroscopy and spectrum analysis
- Optical instruments (spectrometers)
- Understanding atomic emission/absorption
\(\delta = i_1 + e_2 - A\)
Worked Examples
Flint Glass Prism
Higher dispersion, n_violet - n_red ≈ 0.03, creates wider spectrum
Rainbow Formation
Water droplets act as prisms, dispersing sunlight