UNIT–2, CHAPTER–6, SPECTRUM
DEVIATION ON THE COLOUR (WAVELENGTH) OF LIGHT :- Deviation caused by
a prism increases with the decrease in the wavelength of the light.
In visible light, violet colour (λ = 4000Å = 400nm) is deviated the most and red colour (λ =
8000Å = 800nm) is deviated the least because in glass, the speed of violet light is least and
that of the red light is most.
Wavelength is the characteristic of colour, irrespective of its origin i.e., the light of the same
colour obtained from different sources will have the same wavelength.
Colour is the subjective property of light related to its wavelength.
DISPERSION OF WHITE LIGHT THROUGH A PRISM & FORMATION OF
SPECTRUM :- Sir Isaac Newton was the first one to use a glass prism to obtain the
spectrum of light.
Conclusion :- White light consists of seven prominent colours. Each colour corresponds to a
small range of wavelength. Thus, white light is a mixture of large number of wavelengths i.e.,
it is polychromatic in nature.
DISPERSION :- The phenomenon of splitting of white light by a prism into its constituent
colours is known as dispersion.
Dispersion of light rays occurs only at the first surface of prism.
Deviation of light rays occurs at both the surfaces of prism.
SPECTRUM :- The band of seven colours obtained on a white screen when white light
passing through a prism is known as spectrum.
The order of colours in the spectrum is VIBGYOR i.e., Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow,
Orange and Red.
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CAUSE OF DISPERSION OF WHITE LIGHT & FORMATION OF SPECTRUM :-
The cause of dispersion of white light is the change in speed of light with wavelength. When
white light enters the first surface of a prism, light of different colours due to their different
speeds in glass, gets deviated through different angles towards the base of the prism.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM :- The orderly distribution of electromagnetic
radiations according to their wavelength or frequency is known as electromagnetic spectrum.
The complete electromagnetic spectrum in increasing order of wavelength or decreasing order of
frequency are as follow: (i) Gamma rays, (ii) X-rays, (iii) Ultraviolet rays, (iv) Visible light, (v)
Infrared radiations, (vi) Microwaves, (vii) Radio waves
COMMON PROPERTIES TO ALL ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM :- The
properties are as follows:-
(i) It does not require any material medium for their propagation.
(ii) They all travel with the same speed in a medium.
(iii) They exhibit the properties of reflection and refraction.
(iv) These waves are not deflected by the electric & magnetic fields.
(v) These waves are transverse in nature.
PROPERTIES & USES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAVES
1.) Gamma (𝜸) rays :- These are the most energetic electromagnetic radiations of wavelength
less than 0.1 Ȧ (0.01 nm).
Properties :- (i) They cause fluorescence when they strike the fluorescent materials such as zinc sulphide.
(ii) They can easily penetrate through the thick metallic sheets.
(iii) They can easily penetrate through the human body.
Uses :- (i) They are used in the treatment of cancer & tumours.
(ii) They are used to produce nuclear reactions.
(iii) They are used to preserve the food stuffs for a long time.
(iv) They are used in industry to check welding.
2.) X – rays :- They have wavelength in the range of 0.1 Ȧ to 100 Ȧ
Properties :- (i) They have high penetrating power.
(ii) They strongly affect the photographic plate.
Uses :- (i) They are used for the detection of fractures in bones, teeth, etc.(i.e., radiography)
(ii) They are used for diagonistic purposes such as CT scan in medical science.
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(iii) They are used by detective agencies to detect the concealed precious metals.
3.) Ultraviolet radiations :- They are produced by some special lamps & very hot bodies. These
rays coming from the sun and then absorbed by the ozone layer in the earth’s atmosphere.
The wavelength range varies from 100 Ȧ to 4000 Ȧ.
Properties :- (i) These radiations can pass through quartz, but they are absorbed by glass.
(ii) These radiations travel in a straight line with a speed of 3 × 108 ms-1 in air.
(iii) They obey the laws of reflection and refraction.
(iv) They are usually scattered by dust particles present in the earth’s atmosphere.
Uses :- (i) For sterilising purposes.
(ii) For detecting the purity of gems, eggs, ghee, etc.
(iii) For producing vitamin D in food of plants and animals.
Harmful effect :- They cause health hazards like skin cancer, if our body is exposed for a
long period.
4.) Visible Light :- The electromagnetic radiations of wavelength from 4000 Ȧ to 8000 Ȧ are
called the visible radiations or light. because objects are visible in the presence of this
radiations. The prominent colours of visible light are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow,
orange and red.
Sources :- The sun, electric bulb, flame and white hot bodies
Uses :- (i) It is used in photography, photosynthesis and to see the objects around us.
5.) Infrared radiations :- These are the electromagnetic waves of wavelength in the range of
8000 Ȧ to 107 Ȧ.
Sources :- The sun & all red hot bodies such as a heated iron ball, flame, fire, etc
Properties :- (i) These radiations travel in a straight line with a speed of 3 × 108 ms-1 in air.
(ii) They obey the laws of reflection and refraction.
(iii) They are absorbed by glass but they pass through the rock-salt.
(iv) They are less scattered by the atmosphere.
Uses :- (i) These radiations are used for therapeutic purposes by doctors.
(ii) They are used in photography at night and also in mist and fog.
(iii) They are used in remote control of TV and other gadgets.
(iv) They are used as signals during war.
Harmful effect :- A high dose of infrared radiations may cause skin burns.
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6.) Micro waves :- These waves having the wavelength in the range of 10 7 Ȧ. to 1011 Ȧ.
Sources :- Electronic devices such as the crystal oscillators.
Uses : - (i) They are used in radar system for aircraft navigation.
(ii) They are used for cooking purposes.
(iii) They are used for satellite communication.
7.) Radio waves :- These are the waves of longest wavelength amongst all the electromagnetic
waves. They have wavelength above 10 11 Ȧ.
Properties :- They show all the properties of the electromagnetic waves.
Uses :- (i) These waves are used mainly in radar communication.’
(ii) Also used in radio and television transmission.
SCATTERING OF LIGHT :- Scattering is the process of absorption and then re-emission
of light energy.
Properties :-
(i) The air molecules of size smaller than the wavelength of incident light.
(ii) The scattering of light is not same for all wavelengths of incident light.
(iii) The intensity of scattered light is found to be inversely proportional to the fourth power
of the wavelength of light i.e., I ∝ 1⁄𝜆4
(iv) The violet light is scattered most while the red light is scattered least.
APPLICATIONS OF SCATTERING :- There are some effects of scattering of sunlight by
the earth’s atmosphere are :
1.) Red colour of sun at sunrise and sunset :- During this, the light from sun has to travel the
longest distance of atmosphere to reach the observer. Since the blue light of short wavelength
is scattered more while the red light of long wavelength is scattered a little. As a result, the
sun and the region near by it, is seen as red.
2.) White colour of sky at noon :- At noon, sun is directly above our head, so light rays
travelling the shortest distance to reach the observer without much scattering of any particular
colour. Hence, the sky is seen white.
3.) Blue colour of sky :- During this, the light from sun has to travel the longest distance of
atmosphere to reach the observer. Since the blue light of short wavelength is scattered more
in all the directions while the red light of long wavelength is scattered a little. As a result, the
sky is seen as blue.
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4.) Black colour of sky :- Due to the absence of atmosphere, there would be no scattering of
light and thus the sky will appear black (instead of blue).
5.) White colour of clouds :- The clouds are nearer the earth surface and they contain dust
particles of size bigger than the wavelength of visible light. Due to this, these dust particles
present in clouds scatter all colours of incident white light from sun to the same extent and
hence the clouds are seen white.
6.) Use of red light for the danger signals :- The wavelength of red light is longest therefore
the light of red colour is scattered least so the red light can be seen from the farthest distance
in comparison to other light even in fog.
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