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disperse

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

To disperse means to spread out or scatter. It can be used to describe the movement of particles, such as molecules or atoms.

Dispersion can be caused by a variety of factors, such as Brownian motion, diffusion, and convection.

Brownian motion is the random movement of particles suspended in a fluid. It is caused by the collisions of the particles with the molecules of the fluid.

Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It is caused by the random movement of the particles.

Convection is the movement of particles caused by the movement of heat. Hot particles rise, while cold particles fall. This causes the particles to mix and disperse.

Dispersion is an important process in many different areas of science, such as chemistry, physics, and biology. It is used in a variety of applications, such as the separation of mixtures and the mixing of fluids.

How can the word be used?

In a scattered way. For example, you might say that a liquid was dispersed evenly throughout the water.

disperse

Different forms of the word

Noun: dispersion.

Verb: disperse.

Adjective: dispersed.

Adverb: dispersedly.

Synonym: scatter.

Antonym: congregate.

Etymology

The word "disperse" comes from the Latin word dispergere, which means "to scatter". It is made up of the two Latin words dis (apart) and spergere (to sprinkle).

Question

Provide examples of things which can be dispersed.

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the process of dispersion of light and how it leads to the phenomenon of a rainbow. Describe the scientific principle behind the dispersement of different colours of light and their arrangement in a rainbow. Provide examples of other real-world situations where the dispersement of light is observed and its significance in those contexts.

Answer:

  • Dispersion of light is the phenomenon in which white light is separated into its component colours when passing through a transparent medium, such as a prism or water droplets. This dispersement occurs due to the varying refractive indices of different colours of light. When light enters a medium, it slows down, and the degree of slowing depends on its wavelength. Shorter wavelengths, corresponding to blue and violet light, are slowed more than longer wavelengths, such as red light.
  • This causes the different colours to bend at different angles, resulting in their separation and forming a rainbow. In a rainbow, the red light is on the outer edge, while the violet light is on the inner edge, with other colours arranged in between.
  • The dispersion of light is also observed in phenomena like the splitting of sunlight into colours by raindrops, creating a rainbow after rainstorms. Additionally, the dispersion of light in prisms is the basis for spectrometers, which are used in science and engineering to analyse the composition of light sources and study different wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed by substances. The dispersion of light plays a crucial role in understanding the properties of light and its interaction with matter.