How does light dispersion occur in a prism?

Light dispersion in a prism occurs through the phenomenon of refraction, where different wavelengths of light are bent by varying amounts as they pass through the prism's material. When light enters the prism, it slows down and changes direction depending on its wavelength. Shorter wavelengths, such as blue and violet light, are refracted more than longer wavelengths, like red light. This varying degree of refraction causes the light to spread out into a spectrum of colors, known as dispersion.

In summary, the unique shape and refractive index of the prism ensure that light of different colors emerges separated, creating the visual effect of a rainbow. The specific bending of each wavelength is the fundamental mechanism behind the separation of light in this context.