SPECTRUM
CLASS X- PHYSICS
Learning outcomes:
Student will be able to
▪ Understand the deviation produced by a prism.
▪ Define the terms dispersion and spectrum.
▪ Classify electromagnetic spectrum.
▪ State properties common to all electromagnetic radiations.
▪ Explain uses of infrared and ultraviolet radiations.
Deviation produced by a triangular prism
The total angle of deviation depends upon
(i) The angle of incidence at the first surface
(ii) The angle of the prism.
(iii) The refractive index of the material of the prism.
(iv) Color or wavelength of incident light
i s the
Color is the subjective l e n gth color.
e of
property of light related Wav teristic
h a r ac
to wavelength c
The prism does not produce colors, it
Dispersion and Spectrum only splits the colors.
❑ Dispersion- The phenomenon of
splitting of white light by a prism into its
constituent colors.
❑ Spectrum- On passing white light
through a prism, the band of colors seen
on a screen is called spectrum.
On the first surface of prism both
dispersion and deviation occurs.
On the second surface of the prism
Cause of dispersion is due only deviation of light takes place.
to change in speed of light.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM:
The speed(c),
frequency(f), and
wavelength(λ) of
these waves are
related as c=f λ
Approximate ranges of wavelength:
❑ Gamma rays- λ <0.01nm (or) 0.1A0.
❑ X-rays - 0.01nm to 10nm.
❑ Ultraviolet rays- 10nm to 400nm.
❑ Visible light- 400nm to 800nm.
1nm=10-9m=10A0
❑ Infrared radiations- 800nm to 1mm.
❑ Microwaves- 1mm to 10m.
❑ Radio waves- λ >10m
Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns.
Properties common to all the electromagnetic waves:
They do not require any medium for their propagation.
They all travel with the same speed in a medium.
They exhibit the properties of reflection and refraction.
These waves are not deflected by the electric and
magnetic fields.
These waves are transverse in nature.
Infrared radiations:
▪ These radiations can be detected using blackened bulb thermometer or
thermopile
▪ The spectrum can be obtained by using a rock-salt prism because it does not
absorb the infrared radiations where as a glass prism absorbs them.
▪ The sun is the natural source and all red hot bodies such as a heated iron ball,
fire, etc. emits infrared radiations.
▪ Harmful effect of infrared radiation: A high dose may cause skin burns.
Uses of infrared radiations:
▪ They are used for therapeutic purposes by doctors.
▪ They are used in photography at night as they are scattered less and can
penetrate through fog.
▪ They are used as signals during the war as they are not much absorb.
▪ They are used in remote control of television.
Ultraviolet radiations:
❖ These radiations can be detected using silver-chloride solution, by
their chemical activity on dyes and photographic plates.
❖ The spectrum can be obtained by using a quartz prism because it
does not absorb the ultraviolet radiations where as a glass prism
absorbs them.
❖ The sun is the natural source and electric arc, sparks ,mercury vapor
lamp also emits ultraviolet radiations.
❖ Harmful effect :The ultraviolet radiations cause skin cancer if human
body is exposed for a long period.
Uses of ultraviolet radiations:
❖ They are used for sterilizing purposes.
❖ They are used for detecting the purity of gems, eggs , ghee, etc.
❖ They are used in producing vitamin D in food of plants and animals.