TeXes Science Practice Test

Which aspect of light is evidenced by its dispersion through a prism?

1. Intensity

2. Speed

3. Color spectrum

4. Curvature

The correct answer is: Color spectrum

The dispersion of light through a prism is a demonstration of the color spectrum. When white light travels through a prism, it is refracted at different angles depending on the wavelength (or color) of the light. This refraction separates the light into its constituent colors, creating a visible spectrum that includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Each color bends by a different amount due to its unique wavelength, thus revealing the full spectrum of colors that compose white light. The other options do not accurately represent what is demonstrated by the effects of a prism. Intensity pertains to the brightness of light, which does not change upon passing through a prism. Speed is related to how quickly light travels, which remains constant in a given medium (though it changes when transitioning between mediums). Curvature refers more to the path of light in a non-linear direction, which is not the primary phenomenon observed in this scenario. Therefore, the correct answer focuses solely on the fact that dispersion distinctly showcases the different colors of light that make up the visible spectrum.