Prisms

Refraction

When light enters a solid material from air, the speed at which the light travels decreases. If the light enters at an off-normal angle, the direction of the light changes. The light is said to be refracted and the refracted angle is given by Snell's law:
n₁ sin theta₁ = n₂ sin theta₂

Reflection and refraction of an incident light ray at a surface

Prisms

A prism is a transparent optic that is shaped to bend light. Since the refractive index of a material varies with wavelength, prisms are useful for dispersing different wavelengths of light.

Dispersion of white light by a prism:

Related Topics

• Optics
• Optical Materials