PHYS120

Refraction (Dispersion)

Dr N. Dlamini

School of Chemistry & Physics

University of kwaZulu-Natal

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Dispersion

angle of mean
deviation
i

white
R
Y
angle of
dispersion V

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Minimum Deviation
It can be proved that when the angle of deviation is a minimum,
the ray passes through the prism symmetrically.

G
Dmin
i1 i1
B i2 i2 C

E
F

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Rainbows

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics

Real and apparent depth

i2
B A

i1
b
I

PHYS120 Geometrical Optics