dispersion
dih-SPUR-zhun
/dɪˈspɜːr.ʒən/
The splitting of white light into its component spectral colors due to wavelength-dependent speed differences; or the scattering of items/people over an area.
In optics, dispersion occurs because different light frequencies travel at slightly different velocities through glass or water.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'dispersionem', from 'dispersus', past participle of 'dispergere' ('to scatter wide'). Adopted by 17th-century natural philosophers to describe glass prisms splitting white sunlight.
Word relationships
- scattering: Scattering redirects light randomly, whereas dispersion splits light systematically by wavelength.
- diffusion: Diffusion spreads rays uniformly, while dispersion separates wavelengths into rainbow bands.
- concentration: Concentration gathers elements together into a tight focus.
Commonly confused with
- diffraction: Diffraction spreads waves around obstacles; dispersion splits light into colors due to refractive speed variations.
Word family
- disperse (verb): To scatter or split into separate parts or colors.
- dispersive (adjective): Tending to cause dispersion.
Collocations
- chromatic dispersion
- dispersion of light
- dispersion relation
- population dispersion
Example sentences
- "Rainbows are created by the atmospheric dispersion of sunlight inside millions of falling raindrops." Optical physics
- "The wide dispersion of seeds by migrating birds helped reforest the island after the volcanic eruption." Ecological study
Memory hook
DISPERSE white sunlight into DISTINCT rainbow colors. Separating white light into colors.
When not to use
Do not confuse with simple surface reflection or diffraction around sharp gaps.
Fun facts
- Diamonds owe their vivid, colorful 'fire' to high optical dispersion, which separates light far more effectively than ordinary glass.
Related words
Explore more words
disperse, diaspora, attenuation, distribution, spectrometer, splinter
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