When light is dispersed, it separates into its constituent colors. A prime example of this is the formation of a rainbow after rain. White sunlight passing through raindrops is refracted (bent) and then dispersed, revealing the spectrum of colors.
Elaboration:
Dispersion of Light:
Dispersion refers to the phenomenon where white light, which is a combination of all colors, separates into its individual colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) when it passes through a medium like a prism or water droplets.
Rainbow Formation:
This occurs because different colors of light bend (refract) at slightly different angles as they enter and exit the water droplets. The light then reflects off the back of the droplet, and finally emerges, revealing the visible rainbow arc in the sky.
Other Examples:
Prism: White light passing through a prism is also dispersed, splitting into its colors.
Oil film on water: The colorful appearance of an oil slick on water is another example of light dispersion.