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  1. Science
  2. Year 8
  3. Light
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Dispersion of Light and the Spectrum

In this worksheet, students will explore the fact that white light consists of 7 different colours, which can be separated when light passes through a prism.

'Dispersion of Light and the Spectrum' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Curriculum topic:   Physics: Waves

Curriculum subtopic:   Light Waves

Difficulty level:  

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Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

Daylight is white light​ which can be split into the different colours it is made of using a prism, as shown below:

 

 

Prism splitting light wavelengths

 

 

The different colours in the white light change direction (refract) when they pass through a prism. However, they do that by different amounts and so they spread out. A natural phenomenon of this is the formation of rainbows. The different colours in the white light are refracted by different amounts by water droplets, which act as prisms. The separation of the colours is called dispersion of light and the colours are a spectrum. The colours in the spectrum are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Red is refracted the least and violet the most.

 

Lenses in cheap cameras may also split up the colours in white light. A combination of lenses is needed to avoid this.

 

Rainbow

What colour light is daylight considered to be? Write only the colour.

How can we view the different colours white light is made of?

We can view them when it rains.

We can view them using a filter.

We can view them through a prism.

Why do the different colours spread out when white light passes through a prism?

They are reflected by different amounts.

They are refracted by different amounts.

They are absorbed by different amounts.

What is the range of colours in white light called?

What is the pattern of the amount of refraction of the different colours, as we move from red to violet?

it increases from red to violet

it decreases from red to violet

it stays the same

In the answer box below, write the word which completes this sentence:

 

The separating of the colours when they pass through a prism as white light is called _________.

Tick the option from the list below which completes this sentence:

 

A rainbow is a naturally occuring ___________ of white light.

refraction

reflection

dispersion

What is the fourth colour of the spectrum?

violet

blue

green

What is the second colour of the spectrum? 

red

yellow

orange

What is needed to prevent dispersion in photographs?

a white lens

a prism

a combination of lenses

  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

What colour light is daylight considered to be? Write only the colour.

CORRECT ANSWER
white
EDDIE SAYS
Daylight is natural white light.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

How can we view the different colours white light is made of?

CORRECT ANSWER
We can view them through a prism.
EDDIE SAYS
White light splits into its different colours when it passes through a prism.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

Why do the different colours spread out when white light passes through a prism?

CORRECT ANSWER
They are refracted by different amounts.
EDDIE SAYS
The different colours are refracted (change direction) by different amounts when they pass through a prism.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

What is the range of colours in white light called?

CORRECT ANSWER
a spectrum
spectrum
EDDIE SAYS
The different colours in white light form a spectrum.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

What is the pattern of the amount of refraction of the different colours, as we move from red to violet?

CORRECT ANSWER
it increases from red to violet
EDDIE SAYS
Red is refracted the least and violet the most.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

In the answer box below, write the word which completes this sentence:

 

The separating of the colours when they pass through a prism as white light is called _________.

CORRECT ANSWER
dispersion
EDDIE SAYS
Dispersion of light is the separating of the different colours when white light passes through a prism.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

Tick the option from the list below which completes this sentence:

 

A rainbow is a naturally occuring ___________ of white light.

CORRECT ANSWER
dispersion
EDDIE SAYS
Dispersion of light occurs as the different colours are refracted differently by water droplets. This results in a rainbow being formed.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

What is the fourth colour of the spectrum?

CORRECT ANSWER
green
EDDIE SAYS
The colours of the spectrum in the correct order are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 9

What is the second colour of the spectrum? 

CORRECT ANSWER
orange
EDDIE SAYS
The colours of the spectrum in the correct order are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 10

What is needed to prevent dispersion in photographs?

CORRECT ANSWER
a combination of lenses
EDDIE SAYS
A combination of lenses is used to prevent dispersion showing in photographs in high quality cameras.
---- OR ----

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