dispersive power

American  

noun

Optics.

1. a measure of the ability of a substance to disperse light, equal to the quotient of the difference in refractive indices of the substance for two representative wavelengths divided by the difference of the refractive index for an intermediate wavelength and 1.

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Example Sentences

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dispersive power

The dispersive power is not the same for all parts of a refraction spectrum; besides, the same colours do not occupy the same positions in spectra formed by prisms of different material.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

This shortness in the latter cases is due to the small dispersive power of the three minerals mentioned.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram

On the other hand, a spectrum of bright lines undergoes no such weakening by an increase in the dispersive power of the spectroscope.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck

The second of these two expressions is generally given as the definition of dispersive power.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

It did not spread out any more: a prism had no more dispersive power over it; it was deflected by the appropriate amount, but it was not analysed into constituents.

From Pioneers of Science by Lodge, Oliver, Sir