5. Why does white light separate into a rainbow of colors s in prisms and water droplets? Different wavelengths of light reflect at different angles. Different wavelengths of light refract at different angles. Some wavelengths of light reflect and others do not. Some wavelengths of light refract and others do not

## Step 1<br />The phenomenon of white light separating into a spectrum of colors when it passes through a prism or water droplets is known as dispersion. This process is based on the principle that different wavelengths of light refract, or bend, at different angles when they pass from one medium to another.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />In the case of a prism or water droplets, the white light is refracted as it enters the medium. This refraction causes the different wavelengths of light to spread out and separate into their individual colors.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The different colors of light, each with a different wavelength, are refracted at different angles. This is why we see a spectrum of colors when white light passes through a prism or water droplets.