Final answer:
Spectroscopy is the technology used to split light into its colors, achieved through the use of a spectrometer, which diffracts light with a prism or a grating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technology that can be used to split light into its colors is spectroscopy. When light is passed through a spectrometer, it is split into a spectrum as the light is diffracted by a prism or grating within the instrument. The spectrometer operates by allowing light from a source to enter through a small hole or slit, collimating the light into a parallel beam, and then passing it through a prism or grating. As a result, different wavelengths of light are refracted differently and projected onto a CCD or other detecting device, creating a spread of colors that represents the spectrum.
This spectral analysis technique is critical in various fields such as astronomy, materials science, and biomedical research. It allows scientists to analyze the composition of distant celestial objects, study the chemical composition of materials, and investigate fine details in biochemical processes. In summary, spectroscopy is not only about splitting light but also about exploring and understanding the very nature of substances and materials through their interaction with light.