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It is not just glass, it is true for all media though which light can travel. If water [raindrops] did not, then you would never have a rainbow! The refractive index of a medium is a measure of the average refraction - as measured for white light. In fact, the angle of refraction depends on the wavelength of the light.

If the two interfaces between the two media (air to glass and glass to air, for example) are parallel then the different refraction at the first interface is exactly offset what happens at the second interface. So a beam of white light gets split up into the spectrum at the first and recombines into a beam of white light at the second interface. However, if the two interfaces are not parallel - as in a prism, or a raindrop, the result will be white light being split into the spectral components.

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Q: Why does glass have different refractive index for light beams of different colours according to wikipedia?
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Related questions

How do you xxplain the cause of dispersion?

When composite white light with seven colours as constituents enter into triangular prism, then different colours get refracted at different angles because of the different refractive index value of glass for different colours. Refractive index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in free space to that in the glass medium. As the speed of the different colour differ, the refractive index varies. Hence they have different angle of refraction. So all the colours have been split up. As we use a triangular prism, as the refracted colours fall on the other face of the prism, once again separation becomes possible. Hence the phenomenon of dispersion. But this will not be possible when we use a rectangular glass slab. So triangular prism is essential to have dispersion.


Why do waves disperse?

Waves disperse because different wave components travel at different speeds, causing them to spread out over time and distance. This dispersion occurs due to variations in wavelength or frequency within the wave.


Is the refractive index of glass the same for all colours of light?

No.


Why does a prism cause white light to separate into the spectrum?

A prism causes white light to separate into a spectrum because light of different wavelengths (colors) travels at different speeds inside the prism. This difference in speed causes the light to refract at different angles, resulting in the separation of the colors of the spectrum.


What explains why a prism separate white light into the colors of the rainbow?

A prism separates white light into the colors of the rainbow because different colors of light have different wavelengths and are refracted at slightly different angles as they pass through the prism. This causes them to spread out and form a spectrum of colors.


What is a colored lens made out of?

A coloured lens is made out of a thin, plastic lens that may be tinted to become different colours. The lens can be used to correct refractive error and other problems.


How do you make light into colours?

With a prism. Its separates the different colors of light for you. This wikipedia webpage shows how.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispersive_prism


What is separation of white light into different colours called?

The separation of white light into different colors is called dispersion. This occurs when light passes through a prism and is split into its component colors due to differences in the refractive index of each color.


What are some examples of light?

According to the range of frequency of emission light has different colours in different frequenies. Violet. Indigo, Blue, green,Yellow, Orange,Red are the main colours of light.


Why are leaves different colours?

Leaves colors are according to the quantities of chlorophyll (which is green) the plant contains.


How do you see different colours?

We see different colours because other colours are being absorbed.


Why do the flame change colours according to the different element in flame test?

it has something to do with the chemical composition of the elements.