Thread: Pulses of light in slow motion

Originally Posted by dutchraptor

Since the light is a parcel of photons (and assuming I understood your question) I think the dispersion would happen simultaneously

It wouldn't be the same if photons were sent in a row right? Edit: Is it plausible to say that 'photons in a row' would show up like a constant wavelength?

Originally Posted by dutchraptor

Though I think the light leaving the prism would all leave at a different time. Since blue light disperses more than red, it would have a further path to travel.

That's what I was wondering although I am not sure about it. I think the spectrum would gradually appear on the surface where it was projected.

This animation shows a constant beam of light being dispersed by a prism:



I think there shouldn't be the light-gray border of the prism in the first place. I understand the white light is actually formed by its wave components traveling together, and perhaps it would be more illustrative if they are also shown on the side before the beam gets to the prism, perhaps with a white background? Anyway, It looks like basically it depends on the angle of the surface where the spectrum was projected to see it gradually appear. If I use just a constant wavelength of light, it will just be refracted by the prism therefore the previous video wouldn't show more than the pulse changing its direction right?