dispersion

(noun)

The separation of visible light by refraction or diffraction.

Related Terms

  • refraction
  • reflection

Examples of dispersion in the following topics:

  • Dispersion: Rainbows and Prisims

    • Dispersion is defined as the spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths.
    • Dispersion is defined as the spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths.
    • Refraction is responsible for dispersion in rainbows and many other situations.
    • (b) White light is dispersed by the prism (shown exaggerated).
    • This light is refracted and dispersed both as it enters and as it leaves the drop.
  • Dispersion of the Visible Spectrum

    • Dispersion is the spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths.
    • When a light ray enters a medium with a different index of refraction, the light is dispersed, as shown in with a prism.
    • In water, the refractive index varies with wavelength, so the light is dispersed.
    • (b) White light is dispersed by the prism (shown exaggerated).
    • This light is refracted and dispersed both as it enters and as it leaves the drop.
  • Energy in a Magnetic Field

    • For non-dispersive materials this same energy is released when the magnetic field is destroyed.
    • For linear, non-dispersive, materials (such that B = μH where μ, called the permeability, is frequency-independent), the energy density is:
    • For linear non-dispersive materials, though, the general equation leads directly to the simpler energy density equation given above.
  • Combinations of Lenses

    • The most common type of achromat is the achromatic doublet, which is composed of two individual lenses made from glasses with different amounts of dispersion Typically, one element is a negative (concave) element made out of flint, which has relatively high dispersion, and the other is a positive (convex) element made of crown glass, which has lower dispersion.
  • Enhancement of Microscopy

    • Dispersion staining: This results in a colored image of a colorless object; it does not actually require that the object be stained.
  • The Spectrometer

    • This grating then disperses the emitted light to anther mirror which spreads the different resultant wavelengths and reflects them onto a detector which records the findings.
  • Dieletrics and their Breakdown

    • Current is dispersed in many different directions, creating different stems.
  • What is Power?

    • The remainder becomes a huge amount of thermal energy that must be dispersed as heat transfer, as rapidly as it is created.
  • Diffraction Gratings: X-Ray, Grating, Reflection

    • The directions of these beams depend on the spacing of the grating and the wavelength of the light so that the grating acts as the dispersive element.
  • More on coupled spring/mass lattices

    • The dispersion seen in the right side simulation is the result of the discreteness of the medium: waves whose wavelengths are comparable to the grid spacing sense the granularity of the medium and therefore propagate at a slightly different speed than longer wavelength disturbances.
    • The lower frequency modes are purely sinusoidal; the higher frequency modes become modulated sinusoids as a result of the dispersive effects of this being a discrete system.
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