Question

A high-quality diamond may be quite clear and colorless, transmitting all visible wavelengths with little absorption. Explain how it can sparkle with flashes of brilliant color when illuminated by white light.

a. The diamond selectively absorbs certain wavelengths.
b. Dispersion of light causes different colors to refract at different angles.
c. The diamond emits colored light upon illumination.
d. Internal reflection within the diamond generates colors.

Answer 1

Diamonds sparkle from a combination of dispersion and total internal reflection. Light enters easily but is internally reflected due to the diamond's facets and high refractive index, only escaping at specific angles, which creates a concentrated sparkle. Dispersion causes the separation of light into multiple colors.

Step-by-step explanation:

A high-quality diamond sparkles with flashes of brilliant color when illuminated by white light primarily due to dispersion of light and total internal reflection. Diamonds have a high index of refraction, which means light enters easily but has trouble exiting due to a critical angle of only 24.4°. Consequently, light undergoes many internal reflections within the diamond before it can escape at certain places, leading to a concentrated sparkle. Furthermore, the diamond's facets are crafted to reinforce this effect. Dispersion occurs when different wavelengths of light refract at different angles, causing the separation of white light into a spectrum of colors, similar to the phenomenon of a rainbow.