NOTES
Class 10th
SCIENCE
SPECTRUM
Deviation produced by Glass Prism:
●Dispersion is the phenomenon of splitting white light into its constituent colors when it passes through a
transparent medium like a glass prism.
●When light enters a prism, it refracts twice: once at the first face (entering glass) and once at the second face
(entering air). Because the faces of a prism are not parallel, these refractions do not cancel out; instead, they add
up to bend the light toward the base of the prism.
●Fundamental Formula:
●The angle of deviation is mathematically related to the angle of the prism (A), the angle of incidence (i), and the
angle of emergence (e):
⸹ = (i + e) - A
●Factors Affecting the Angle of Deviation
The amount of bending depends on four specific factors:
Angle of Incidence (i)
●The relationship between i and ⸹ is unique. As the angle of
incidence increases:
●The angle of deviation first decreases until it reaches a
minimum value.
●After that, any further increase in i causes the deviation to
increase.
Angle of the Prism (A)
●Relationship: Directly proportional (⸹ α A).
●Reason:
A "fatter" prism with a larger vertex angle forces the light to bend more to exit the second face.
Refractive Index of the Material (μ)
●Relationship: Directly proportional (⸹α μ).
●Reason:
A prism made of flint glass (high refractive index) will deviate light more than a prism made of
crown glass (low refractive index).
Color (Wavelength) of Light (λ)
●Relationship: Inversely proportional (⸹ α 1 / λ).
●Reason:
In glass, shorter wavelengths (Violet) travel slower and bend more.
Longer wavelengths (Red) travel faster and bend less.
●⸹Violet > ⸹Red (This is why Violet is at the bottom of the spectrum).
Angle of Minimum Deviation ( ⸹min )
●There is a special position where the light passes through the prism symmetrically.
●At this "Minimum Deviation" position:
●The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of emergence (i = e).
● The refracted ray inside the prism is parallel to the base (if the prism is equilateral/isosceles).
● The formula becomes: ⸹min = 2i - A
Factor Change Effect on Deviation (δ)
Angle of Prism (A) Increase Increases
Refractive Index (μ) Increase Increases
Wavelength (λ) Increase (Redder) Decreases
Angle of Incidence (i) Increase Decreases, then Increases
Dispersion of Light:
●Dispersion is the phenomenon of splitting white light into its constituent colors when it passes through a
transparent medium like a glass prism.
●Cause:
White light consists of seven colors (VIBGYOR).
In a vacuum, all colors travel at the same speed. However, in a medium like glass, different colors travel at
different speeds.
●Red light travels fastest and deviates the least.
●Violet light travels slowest and deviates the most.
Spectrum:
●The band of colors obtained on a screen after dispersion is
called a spectrum.
●Impure vs. Pure Spectrum:
●Impure:
Colors overlap (no distinct boundaries).
●Pure:
Colors are distinct and do not overlap (achieved using a narrow slit and achromatic lenses).
Electromagnetic Spectrum:
●The Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) is the complete range of all types of electromagnetic radiation,
arranged according to their wavelength or frequency (f).
●Even though these waves appear different (some we see as light, others we use for X-rays),
they are all technically the same: transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
that travel at the speed of light (c = 3 x 108 m/s) in a vacuum.
Order of the Spectrum
●The spectrum is typically divided into seven regions.
●From longest wavelength (lowest energy) to shortest wavelength (highest energy), the order is:
●Radio Waves: Used for television and radio broadcasting.
●Microwaves: Used in radar and cooking.
●Infrared (IR): Experienced as heat; used in remote controls and night vision.
●Visible Light: The only part humans can see (VIBGYOR).
●Ultraviolet (UV): Causes tanning and can kill bacteria; used in water purifiers.
●X-Rays: High energy waves that can pass through soft tissue; used in medicine.
●Gamma Rays: Highest energy; emitted by radioactive substances and used in cancer treatment.
Core Mathematical Relationship
●All electromagnetic waves follow the wave equation:
Speed = wavelength x frequency
because the speed (c) is constant in a vacuum:
●Wavelength and Frequency are inversely proportional.
If the wavelength increases (like Radio waves), the frequency must decrease.
●If the frequency increases (like Gamma rays), the energy (E = hf) increases.
Key Properties of EM Waves
●No Medium Required:
Unlike sound, they can travel through the vacuum of space.
●Transverse Nature:
The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
●Speed:
All EM waves travel at the same speed (c = 3 x 108 m/s) in a vacuum, regardless of their wavelength.
●Interaction with Matter:
They can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, and polarized.
Radiation Type Source Detector Special Property
Infrared Hot bodies Thermopile / Blackened Heating effect; low scattering.
thermometer
Visible Sun / Lamps Human eye / Photographic film Stimulates the retina for vision.
Ultraviolet Mercury vapor Silver Chloride / Fluorescence High chemical activity;
lamp absorbed by glass.
Radio Waves (Longest wavelength, Lowest frequency)
●Wavelength: Above 10m.
●Source: Rapid acceleration and deceleration of electrons in aerials (TV/Radio towers).
●Properties: They show diffraction around obstacles and are reflected by the ionosphere.
●Uses:
●Radio and television broadcasting.
●Radar communication.
Microwaves
●Wavelength: 1mm to 10 cm.
●Source: Electronic devices like Klystron tubes.
●Properties: They travel in straight lines and are not easily scattered by the atmosphere.
●Uses:
Satellite communication.
Cooking: In microwave ovens, they rotate water molecules in food to generate heat.
Infrared (IR) Radiations
●Wavelength: 800nm to 1 mm.
●Source: All hot bodies (Sun, fire, heated metal).
●Properties: They produce a strong heating effect. They are scattered less by fog or mist due to their long
wavelength.
●Detection: Thermopile or a blackened bulb thermometer.
●Uses:
●Night vision equipment.
●Remote controls for TV/AC.
●Photography in fog or mist.
Visible Light
●Wavelength: 400nm (Violet) to 800nm (Red).
●Source: Sun, electric bulbs, flame.
●Properties: Stimulates the retina of the human eye to cause the sensation of vision.
●Uses:
●Photography and optical microscopy.
●Photosynthesis in plants.
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiations
●Wavelength: 10nm to 400 nm.
●Source: Electric arc, Mercury vapor lamp, Sun.
●Properties: High chemical activity.
●They cause fluorescence (glowing) in certain materials.
●They are absorbed by ordinary glass (Quartz is used instead).
●Detection: By their effect on silver chloride solution (turns dark) or a photographic film.
●Uses:
●Sterilizing surgical instruments (kills bacteria).
●Detecting forged documents or currency.
X-Rays
●Wavelength: 0.01nm to 10nm.
●Source: Stopping high-speed electrons by a heavy metal target (like Tungsten).
●Properties: High penetrating power; can pass through flesh but are stopped by bones.
●Uses:
●Detecting fractures in bones.
●Security scanners at airports.
Gamma Rays (Shortest wavelength, Highest frequency)
●Wavelength: Below 0.01 nm.
●Source: Radioactive decay of atomic nuclei (e.g., Cobalt-60).
●Properties: Most energetic waves; highest penetrating power (stopped only by thick lead or concrete).
●Uses:
●Radiotherapy: To kill cancer cells/tumors.
●Sterilizing medical supplies and food.
Radiation Harmful Effect Unique Characteristic
Infrared Can cause skin burns Absorbed by glass/water vapor
Ultraviolet Skin cancer / Eye damage Absorbed by Ozone layer
X-Rays Genetic damage / Cell mutation High penetration through soft tissue
Gamma Rays Deadly to living cells Originates from the nucleus
Difference between Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared Radiations:
Feature Ultraviolet (UV) Visible Light Infrared (IR)
Wavelength (λ) 10 nm to 400 nm 400 nm to 800 nm 800 nm to 1 mm
(Shortest) (Longest)
Frequency (f) Highest Frequency Medium Frequency Lowest Frequency
Speed (in vacuum) 3 x 108 m/s 3 x 108 m/s 3 x 108 m/s
Primary Source Mercury vapor lamp, Sun, LED bulbs, Flames All hot bodies (Fire,
Electric arc, Sun Heated metal)
Detection Method Silver Chloride solution Human Eye Thermopile, Bolometer,
(turns black) or or Blackened bulb
Photographic film thermometer
Primary Effect Chemical Effect: Causes Physiological Effect: Heating Effect: Increases
fluorescence & chemical Causes sensation of sight thermal energy
change
Scattering Most Scattered (High f, Moderately Scattered Least Scattered (Low f,
short \lambda) long \lambda)
Material Interaction Absorbed by Glass; Passes through Glass and Absorbed by Glass,
passes through Quartz Water CO_2, and Water vapor
Key Use Sterilizing medical Photography; Remote controls; Night
tools; detecting forged Photosynthesis vision; Fog photography
notes
Health Hazard Can cause skin cancer Retinal damage (if very Can cause skin burns at
and eye damage intense) high intensity
Scattering of Light:
●It is the process of absorption and re-emission of light energy.
Rayleigh’s Law of Scattering:
●The intensity of scattered light (I) depends heavily on the wavelength ($\lambda$) of the light.
According to Lord Rayleigh:
●The intensity of scattered light is inversely proportional to the fourth power of its wavelength.
●I α 1/ λ4.
Rule:
●Short wavelengths (Blue/Violet) scatter much more strongly.
●Long wavelengths (Red/Orange) scatter much less.
Applications of Scattering of light:
Blue Color of the Sky
●When sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere, it strikes air molecules (N2 and O2).
●Since these molecules are smaller than the wavelength of visible light,
they scatter shorter wavelengths (Blue and Violet) much more than Red.
Our eyes are more sensitive to blue than violet, so the sky appears blue.
●In Space: There is no atmosphere to scatter light, so the sky appears black to astronauts.
Red Appearance of the Sun at Sunrise and Sunset
●At these times, sunlight has to travel a longer distance through the atmosphere to reach our eyes.
●Most of the blue and shorter-wavelength light is scattered away during this long journey.
●Only the least-scattered light—Red and Orange—survives the trip and reaches our eyes.
Danger Signals are Red
●Safety and "Stop" signals are always red because:
●Red has the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum.
●According to Rayleigh's Law, it is scattered the least by fog, smoke, or dust.
●Therefore, red light can travel long distances without being diffused, making it visible from far away.
White Color of Clouds
●Clouds consist of large water droplets and dust particles.
●Rayleigh's law does not apply here.
●These large particles scatter all wavelengths (colors) of light equally.
●The combination of all scattered colors results in white light, making clouds appear white.