When a beam of white light is allowed to fall on a prism, the maximum deviation of the emerging light occurs for

When white light passes through a triangular glass prism, it undergoes dispersion, splitting into its constituent spectral colors [2]. This phenomenon occurs because the refractive index of the prism material varies with the wavelength of light [2]. Shorter wavelengths experience a higher refractive index and travel slower in the medium, leading to greater bending. Violet light has the shortest wavelength and highest frequency in the visible spectrum, causing it to deviate the most from its original path [1]. Conversely, red light has the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, resulting in the least amount of deviation [1]. Consequently, as the rays emerge along different paths, violet light is found at the bottom of the spectrum due to its maximum angular deviation, while red light is at the top [1].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 10: The Human Eye and the Colourful World > Activity 10.2 > p. 167
2. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispersive_prism