Dispersion is the separation of light into a spectrum by refraction. The index of refraction is actually a function of wavelength. For longer wavelengths the index is slightly small. Thus, red light refracts less than violet. This effect causes white light to split into it spectrum of colors. Red light travels the fastest in glass, has a smaller index of refraction, and bends the least. Violet is slowed down the most, has the largest index, and bends the most. In other words: the higher the frequency, the greater the bending.
Dispersion of Light
