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A monochromatic beam of light does not split when it passes through a prism while a beam of white light does. How are the two cases different from each other?Explain.

Dear Student ,

When a beam of monochromatic light passes through a Prism , it will refract but it does not split or disperse. This is because it is a beam of single wavelength.
However , In case of white light , it will show dispersion as it is comprised of 7 different colours (VIBGYOR) , each colour having different wavelength inside prism.

Hope this will clear Your doubt!

Regards.

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because monochromatic beam of light contain only one coloured ray
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When light enters a medium with a different density it bends (refracts). Becausewhite light contains a collection of component colors with varying wavelengths, each color is refracted by a different amount. This is the phenomenon Sir Isaac Newton observed at home using a prism.
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A monochromatic light is in single colour so single wave length so it does not split beacause velocity inside prism is same for all .
but in case of white light which consist of seven colour means 7 different wavelength so velocity for different wavelength is different so they split after passing from prism.
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