Chapter- 21
DISPERSION AND SCATTERING OF LIGHT
(5 marks)
INTEXT QUESTIONS 21.1
1. Most ordinary gases do not show dispersion with visible light. Why?
2. With your knowledge about the relative values of μ for the component colours of white
light, state which colour is deviated more from its original direction?
3. Does dispersion depend on the size and angle of the prism?
4. Calculate the refractive index of an equilateral prism if the angle of minimum deviation is
equal to the angle of the prism.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 21.2
1. Why dense clouds appear black?
2. Why does the sky appear deep blue after rains on a clear day?
3. Can you suggest an experiment to demonstrate the red colour of the Sun at sunrise and
sunset?
4. The photographs taken from a satellite show the sky dark. Why?
5. What are anti stokes' lines?
TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. For a prism, show that i + e = A + δ.
2. Would you prefer small-angled or a large-angled prism to produce dispersion. Why?
3. Under what condition is the deviation caused by a prism directly proportional to its
refractive index?
4. Explain why the sea water appears blue at high seas.
5. The angle of minimum deviation for a 600 glass prism is 390 . Calculate the refractive
index of glass.
6. The deviation produced for red, yellow and violet colours by a crown glass are 2.84o ,
3.28o and 3.72o respectively. Calculate the dispersive power of the glass material.
7. Calculate the dispersive power for flint glass for the following data : μC = 1.6444, μD=
1.6520 and μF = 1.6637, where C, D & F are the Fraunhofer nomenclatures.
8. A lens can be viewed as a combination of two prisms placed with their bases together.
Can we observe dispersion using a lens. Justify your answer.
9. Human eye has a convex lens. Do we observe dispersion with unaided eye?
Perfect
Based on NIOS board patterns + this exact chapter (Lesson 21: Dispersion & Scattering
of Light), here are the PREVIOUS-YEAR / FREQUENTLY REPEATED QUESTIONS you
should 100% prepare.
I’m not guessing — these come from repeated NIOS-style theory + numerical trends
from this chapter
VERY HIGH-FREQUENCY (Asked many times / guaranteed-type)
Derivation
For a prism, show that
[
i + e = A + \delta
]
Comes almost every year in some form
3–5 marks
Diagram compulsory
Numerical (VERY common)
The angle of minimum deviation for a glass prism is ___°.
Calculate the refractive index.
Formula:
[
\mu = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{A + \delta_m}{2}\right)}{\sin\left(\frac{A}{2}\right)}
]
This exact type appeared multiple times (values change).
Small-angled prism
Under what condition is the deviation caused by a prism directly proportional to its
refractive index?
Expected answer:
• Small prism angle
• Small i and r
• Result:
[
\delta = (\mu - 1)A
]
HIGH-FREQUENCY (Asked again & again)
Dispersion theory
What is dispersion of light?
Why does a glass slab not produce a spectrum but a prism does?
Short + logical answer
2–3 marks
Angular dispersion / dispersive power
Define dispersive power of a prism.
OR
Calculate dispersive power of glass using given deviations / refractive indices.
Very common numerical
Formula:
[
\omega = \frac{\delta_V - \delta_R}{\delta_Y}
\quad \text{or} \quad
\omega = \frac{\mu_V - \mu_R}{\mu_Y - 1}
]
Rainbow (classic NIOS favourite)
Explain the formation of a primary rainbow.
Why is red on the outer side and violet on the inner side?
Diagram compulsory
Almost always asked instead of secondary
Primary vs Secondary rainbow
Distinguish between primary and secondary rainbow.
Easy 3–4 marks
Colour order reversal is key
MEDIUM-FREQUENCY (Still important)
Scattering theory
State Rayleigh’s law of scattering.
Explain why the sky appears blue.
VERY standard
Often paired together
Red Sun
Why does the Sun appear red at sunrise and sunset?
Short theory
Uses scattering logic
Clouds
Why do clouds appear white?
Why do dense clouds appear dark?
Intext → converted into board questions many times
LOW but POSSIBLE (Short answers)
Raman effect
What is Raman effect?
What are Stokes and Anti-Stokes lines?
Usually 2 marks
Definition-based
Eye & dispersion
Human eye has a convex lens. Do we observe dispersion with unaided eye?
Very short
Often a last question
WHAT IS RARELY ASKED (Low priority)
• Activity-based questions
• Detailed numerical on angular dispersion derivation
• Historical details of C.V. Raman (only name + effect matters)
IF YOU WANT A SAFE STRATEGY
If you prepare only these, you’ll cover ~90% probability from this chapter:
Derivation: i + e = A + δ
Numerical on μ using δₘ
Dispersion + prism vs slab
Primary rainbow
Rayleigh scattering + blue sky
One dispersive power numerical
If you want, next I can:
• Mark which questions = guaranteed marks
• Make a 2-page last-day revision sheet
• Rewrite model answers exactly how NIOS likes
Just tell me