dispersion

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

functions of a prism

$Figure 2: Relationships between refractive indices and dispersive powers of several representative optical glasses and plastics.$

Discover

Malayan Leaf Frog - Megophrys nasuta

9 Animals That Look Like Leaves

magic 8 ball

Where Did the Idea for the Magic 8 Ball Come From?

cloning. First cloned cat. First cloned companion animal. CC (copy cat) female domestic shorthair cat (b. Dec. 22, 2001) photo Jan. 18, 2002. Cloned at Texas A&M Univ. College of Vet. Med. & Biomedical Sciences. Reproductive cloning genetics DNA cc cat

CC, The First Cloned Cat

Andrew Jackson delivering a speech while on his way to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration in 1829. From Harper's Weekly, 1881.

5 Remarkably Close U.S. Presidential Elections

Indian hijras participate in a religious procession in Gandhinagar, India, some 30 kilometers from Ahmedabad, on March 22, 2017. Hijra is a term used in South Asia which refers to transgender individuals who are born male. (gender identity, gender expression)

6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Why We Celebrate MLK Day

A tornado in rural Iowa sweeps dangerously near a farm. Weather storm

Why Does the United States Have More Tornadoes than Any Other Country?

dispersion: References & Edit History

More Articles On This Topic

Assorted References

comparison with gemstone fire
- In fire

optics

colour
- In colour: Dispersion and polarization
lenses and optical media
- In optics: Dispersion
light
- In light: Dispersion

physical property of

wave phenomena

In wave motion

sound waves
- In sound: In gases
water waves
- In fluid mechanics: Waves on shallow water
- In fluid mechanics: Waves on deep water

light
- In spectroscopy: Methods of dispersing spectra
plasmas
- In plasma: Higher frequency waves
radiation
- In radiation: Dispersion

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Add new Web site: University of Arizona - Wyant College of Optical Sciences - Refractive Index and Dispersion (PDF).	Yamini Chauhan	Jan 15, 2025
	Article revised and updated.	Erik Gregersen	Feb 26, 2024
	Add new Web site: Physics LibreTexts - Dispersion.	Gloria Lotha	Jun 29, 2023
	Added new Web site: Hyperphysics - Dispersion.	Veenu Setia	Dec 19, 2008
	Article added to new online database.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Jul 20, 1998