dispersive power

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.

Example Sentences

The low dispersive power of water masks, as Helmholtz has remarked, the imperfect achromatism of the eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the dispersive power of flint glass and balsam are about equal, while that of crown glass is considerably less.

From Project Gutenberg

The dispersive power upon the spectrum may be much increased by using several prisms instead of one.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Stones of high dispersive power will display vivid color play in this position.

From Project Gutenberg