Prisms

how do prisms work?

A prism is a triangular object, typically made out of glass or plastic, that is able to transform white light to colored light.

When white light hits a prism at an angle, it is able to bend the light. White light contains all the colors of the visible spectrum, so it contains all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum.

Each wavelength is bent by the prism and is slowed down to a different degree. Because each wavelength is slowed down by a different degree, each wavelength is bent by the prism at a different angle. As a result, the beam of white light is separated into different colors and appears as a rainbow when it exits the prism.