dispersion theory

Dispersion theory describes how waves, such as light or sound, spread out or separate when passing through different media or structures. It explains how different frequencies or colors travel at different speeds, causing a mixture to split into its component parts—for example, a prism separating white light into a spectrum of colors. In physics, dispersion influences phenomena like rainbows and the behavior of electromagnetic waves, and understanding it helps in designing optical devices, analyzing signals, and studying wave interactions across various scientific fields.