Which color will refract the most when passing through a prism?

• A. Red
• B. Green
• C. Yellow
• D. Blue

Answer: (B)

When light passes through a prism, different colors of light bend or refract by varying amounts due to their different wavelengths. The phenomenon occurs because the speed of light changes as it enters and exits materials like glass, and shorter wavelengths bend more than longer ones.

In the visible spectrum, blue light has a shorter wavelength compared to green, yellow, and red light. Because of this shorter wavelength, blue light refracts more when passing through a prism, leading to a greater angle of deviation. This increased refraction results in blue being positioned more toward the base of the prism when the colors separate. Consequently, blue light experiences the highest degree of bending compared to the other colors listed, making it the correct choice.