The component colors of the visible portion of white light can be separated through a prism, which acts to bend the light (refraction) in differing degrees according to wavelength.
R
O
Y
G
B
I
V
GM
2. Christian Huygens 1692:
developed a wave theory of light
A very brief history of the study of Light
1. Sir Isaac Newton
3.  Hans Christian Oersted 1820
Showed that there is a magnetic field associated with the flow of electric current
4. Michael Faraday 1831
Showed the converse i.e. that there is an electric current associated with a change of magnetic field
Study of Light