What causes the separation of colors when light passes through a prism?

The separation of colors when light passes through a prism occurs due to the interaction of light with the prism material and its dependence on the wavelength of light. Each color of light has a different wavelength, and as light enters the prism, it slows down and bends (refracts) at varying angles depending on its wavelength.

Shorter wavelengths, such as blue and violet, bend more than longer wavelengths like red. This phenomenon, known as dispersion, results in the spectrum of colors that we observe, ranging from red to violet. Because the bending angle is contingent on the wavelength, the diverse colors spread out, illustrating the rainbow of visible light.

This principle is fundamental in understanding how prisms work and the nature of light itself, showcasing how different wavelengths interact with materials differently. Other factors, such as intensity or temperature, do not play a role in the color separation process when light passes through a prism.