Light dispersion is the process by which light separates into its component colors when it passes through a medium, such as a prism. This occurs because different colors of light travel at different speeds in the medium, causing them to bend at varying angles. As a result, white light can be split into a spectrum of colors, typically seen as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, often referred to as the rainbow. This phenomenon is commonly observed in nature, such as when sunlight passes through raindrops, creating a rainbow in the sky. Light dispersion is also utilized in various applications, including spectroscopy, which helps scientists analyze materials by studying the light they emit or absorb.