DISPERSION

(m optics), a term to denote the effect produced when beam of white light is pa ed through gla prism. The resulting beam spread out into a broad band composed of the seven primary,colors. original light is ‘dispersed’ owing to different amounts by which rays different colors are bent, when pa ed through a prism. On pa ing the through substances which absorb certain colors, the d. produced is abnormal. This phenomenon, termed anomalous 4s the cause of the use of ruled gratings instead of gla prisms, in the study spectra. D. is also used to signify scattering of light at a reflecting face. CONSFIBLD,.