Light travels in waves White light is made up of a range of waves with different frequencies and wavelengths (in other words, it is made up of different 7 colours).

Visible Light Spectrum If light waves are passed through a prism, it is refracted into a rainbow of colors Each color has a different wavelength, longer wavelengths refract less than shorter wavelengths

How does a rainbow form? We see rainbows in the sky during or after it has rained. This is because the air is filled with very small drops of water, which act like tiny prisms. Light enters a droplet of water and is refracted. But, when it reaches the other side of the droplet, it doesn’t leave the medium as it did in the triangular prism. Instead, it is reflected inside the droplet, but in a new direction. It eventually leaves the droplet, but is refracted again, and is dispersed into the different coloursof the rainbow.

Refraction is the bending or changing direction of a wave as it passes from one material to another. White light (sunlight) is made up of waves having different wavelengths and frequencies.

Except when white light passes through some materials. It can bend Except when white light passes through some materials. It can bend. Light refracts (Refraction) Bent Stick

The constituent colors of white light are: Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet ROY G BIV **Red has the smallest refraction and violet has the greatest.