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Answer the following.
‘Since prism B has larger minimum deviation, the student claims it must also have the greater…
‘Since prism B has larger minimum deviation, the student claims it must also have the greater dispersive power.’ Is this statement always correct? Justify your answer.
Answer
Answer
AIThe student's statement is not always correct. A larger minimum deviation indicates a higher mean refractive index $\mu$, whereas dispersive power $\omega = \frac{\mu_V - \mu_R}{\mu - 1}$ depends on the rate of variation of refractive index with wavelength (the difference $\mu_V - \mu_R$), which depends on the material of the prism.
From ISC 2027 Specimen Physics Paper 1, question 14(ii).