What is the result of light refraction through a prism?

• A. It creates a single color.
• B. It splits light into a spectrum of colors.
• C. It blocks all light.
• D. It enhances the brightness of colors.

Answer: (B)

When light passes through a prism, it undergoes refraction, which is the bending of light as it enters a new medium at an angle. This phenomenon occurs because different wavelengths of light travel at different speeds when they move through materials such as glass. As the light enters the prism, each wavelength bends by a different amount due to this variation in speed, resulting in a separation of colors.

This process illustrates the concept of dispersion, where white light is dispersed into its constituent colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—collectively known as the visible spectrum. This occurs because shorter wavelengths (like violet) bend more than longer wavelengths (like red). Hence, the prism not only refracts light but also effectively splits it into a spectrum of colors, making the correct choice clear.

The other choices do not accurately describe the outcome of light refraction through a prism. A prism does not create a single color nor block light; instead, it reveals the full spectrum. Additionally, while the prism might alter the apparent brightness of colors, its primary and most significant effect is the splitting of light into a spectrum.