DISPERSION OF LIGHT you must have the sun behind you to observe a
rainbow.
The splitting of white light into its seven components
of colours (ROY GBIV) is known as dispersion of light.
The colours of spectrum are Red, Orange, Yellow,
Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
The full range of electromagnetic waves is called
electromagnetic spectrum as shown below.
So what happens in a prism to produce a spectrum?
As the white light enters the prism, it slows down.
We say that it is refracted and, direction changes as
shown above. Dispersion occurs because each colour
is refracted by different amount.
Violet light slows down the most, so it is refracted
the most and has Shortest wavelength and highest
frequency.
Red light is least affected and has longest wavelength
and lowest frequency.
Laser light is not dispersed by a prism. It is refracted
so that it changes the direction, but it is not split up
into a spectrum. This is because it is light of single
colour and is described monochromatic.
Rainbow
Rainbow is naturally occuring spectrum. White light
from the sun is dispersed as it enters and leaves
droplets of water in the air. It is also reflected back to
the viewer by total internal reflection, which is why
Properties of electromagnetic waves uses for IR is in the field of security. "Passive Infra-
Red" (PIR) detectors are used in burglar alarm
All the electromagnetic waves are transverse
systems, and to control the security lighting that
wave.
many people have fitted outside their houses. These
They all travels at the same speed, that is detect the Infra-red emitted warm body of anyone
speed of light ( m/s). who approaches
They all can travel through the vacuum
Visible light
Uses of electromagnetic waves
Light is used in optical fibres in medical uses and
Radio waves sending telephone signals. In endoscopes light is send
Radio waves are the lowest frequencies and highest through bundle of optical fibers to look inside the
wave length in the electromagnetic spectrum, and body. Also in optical fibres pulse of laser light is used
are used mainly for radio and television carry telephone calls.
communications. Ultraviolet radiation
Microwaves Ultra-violet is used in sunbeds, fluorescent tubes and
Microwaves are used to satellite television and for sterilisation. Ultra-violet from the sun is used by
telephone. Beam of micro waves send between dish our skin in producing vitamin D and also gives us sun
aerials, carry television and telephone signals to and tan. UV rays kill microbes, and are used to sterilise
from satellites and across country. food so that it will keep fresh for longer.
Microwaves also used in microwave ovens to cook X – ray
many types of food. X-rays used in hospital for medical imaging and killing
cancerous cells, and engineering applications such as
detecting cracks in metal.
Gamma – ray
Gamma-rays used in killing cancerous cells, and
engineering applications such as detecting cracks in
metal.
Infrared radiation
Infrared radiation is used in household electrical
appliances, television controllers and intruder alarms.
Remote controllers for TV and video recorders
worked by transmitting infrared pulses. Apart from
remote controls, one of the most common modern