White light enters a glass prism,but the color components of the light are observed to emerge from the prism.Which one of the following statements best explains this observation?
A)The separation of white light into its color components is due to the increase in the speed of light within the glass.
B)Some of the color components of the white light are absorbed by the glass and only the remaining components are observed.
C)The index of refraction of the glass depends on the wavelength,so the color components are refracted at different angles.
D)Only some of the color components are refracted by the glass;and these are the ones that are observed.
E)White light is separated into its color components by total internal reflection within the prism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The index of refraction of the glass depends on the wavelength, causing the color components to refract at different angles. This results in the separation of white light into its color components when passing through a prism, observed as a rainbow-like spectrum.

White Light Enters a Glass Prism,but the Color Components of the Light