type of colors refracted from the original white light through a prism-based experience of the most significant directional change

 type of colors refracted from the original white light through a prism-based experience of the most significant directional change

Abstract

This experiment aimed to explain the type of colors refracted from the original white light through a prism-based experience of the most significant directional change. The test also aimed to identify and explain the orders of the refracted colors as well as the reversal effect of colors viewed in a typical double rainbow. The researcher worked with the hypothesis that violet should demonstrate the most substantial directional change due to having the shortest wavelength. Red, on the other hand, should depict the smallest shift in direction due to having the longest wavelength. Red and violet will be on the external parts of the entire spectrum and should, therefore, feature as the colors on the outermost part of the anticipated rainbow. These statements became real at the end of the experiment, whereas the location of the observer accounted for the reversal effect of colors viewed in a double rainbow.

Introduction

This experiment aimed to provide a detailed explanation of the concept of refraction by describing the colors viewed upon the formation of a rainbow. As a result, the researcher sought to determine the color depicted on the top part of the rainbow while checking their order. Also, the researcher examined the probability of having a reversed order of the colors with red featuring on the top part. Dispersion, refraction, and Snell’s Law were some of the concepts used in the experiment. Refraction refers to the bending of light when passing from one medium to another of a different density (Malleus, Kikas, & Kruus, 2016). However, it is critical to understand that light travels faster in a vacuum than other media, where it tends to reduce its speed. Optical density is the measure of the ability of a particular material to reduce the speed of light as it tries to penetrate it (Smith & Karstens, 2010). The formula helps researchers to determine the velocity that light uses to pass through a predetermined material.

In this case, n refers to the refraction index of the material under study. Optical density has a direct relationship with the refraction index (Mihas, 2008). The speed of light in a substance tends to reduce with an increase in optical density. Snell’s law was yet another critical equation in this experiment. This law holds that there is a relationship between the ray angles θ1 and θ2 when a light ray bends between the first and the second medium, termed as n1 and n2. This equation summarizes the above relationship (Malleus et al., 2016). This equation shows that light bends to form a smaller angle when it passes through a medium with a higher refraction index (n) as opposed to a lower value of n. Also, the researcher observed the dispersion of white light by passing through a drop of water. Dispersion refers to the separation of light into various colors with distinct frequencies (Arnett, 2018). Hence, violet should refract at the shortest angle while red will bend at the most significant angle because of having the most concise and longest wavelength, respectively.

Methods

The researcher started the experiment by clicking the image in the first part (Part I) of the instructions provided in the M6A1 Lab test. Secondly, the researcher should choose the “Prism Break” tab embedded on the uppermost part of the program box after the simulator completes loading. Thirdly, the researcher has to change the environment to air at the top right part of the program. Fourthly, it is vital to change the object to “water” at the bottom section of the program. Fifthly, the researcher selected the white light before showing reflections. Sixthly, it was essential to put on the laser using the red button before positioning it alongside the circular prism to refract via the simulated water drops to resemble the image in Part III of the lab instructions. Lastly, the researcher collected and recorded the data observed in the test.

Results

This experiment aimed to provide a detailed explanation of the concept of refraction. The researcher observed the bending of white light via a drop of water. The researcher sought to determine the types of colors that depicted the most significant variation in direction, describe the order of the colors, and elaborate on why the order reversed in some incidences. The researcher assumed that red should demonstrate the smallest change in direction due to a larger wavelength when compared to violet with a shorter wavelength (Mihas, 2008). The two colors were to appear on the top and the bottom part of the rainbow. However, the position of the observer was the reason behind the reversal phenomenon of colors. The simulation produced similar results upon following the steps outlined in the methodology section. The rainbow formed was in a typical form of a circle due to a collection of suspended drops of water in the atmosphere with the capacity to concentrate the light dispersed at deviation angles of 40-42 degrees depending on the first path of light emanating from the sun (Smith & Karstens, 2010). Therefore, changing the refraction position of the light would cause reversed results similar to the case of a rainbow.

Discussion

This experiment sought to explain the refraction of light and dispersal of colors. Researchers aimed to determine the type of color that depicted the most significant change in direction, identify the orders of the resultant colors, and understand their reversal effect. The results of the experiment concurred with the hypothesis of the researcher as violet and red experienced the most significant and smallest change in direction, respectively. The remaining colors fall in between red and violet as expected in the order of ROYGBIV (Arnett, 2018). The observer also viewed the rainbow with deviational angles of 40-42 degrees from the original path of light. Therefore the perception of the observers about the rainbow changes concerning their position, which in turn causes a reversal of colors, as illustrated below;

Conclusion

This experiment aimed to determine the refraction and reflection of light from a typical circular prism. The prism used in this experiment was a simulated drop of water. The researcher explained the order of the resultant colors and their reversal effect after observation. The results matched with the hypothesis of the researcher as color violet and red had the most significant and lowest change in direction due to having the shortest and the longest wavelength, respectively. The remaining colors dispersed in the order of their wavelength following the mnemonic ROYGBIV. However, the reversal phenomenon of colors occurred as a result of the position of the observer.