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Of What Are Prisms Made?

Prisms are three-dimensional solid shaped objects with flat triangular sections made from materials like glass, plastic, quartz and water. Prisms are used in classrooms during science experiments to help demonstrate to children how rainbows form, because of their ability to separate white light into spectra of colors. Teachers also use prisms to help teach their students about electromagnetic spectra.

Water Prisms
- Water prisms are made from glass and filled with distilled water to create a solid pyramid shape. They are three-dimensional and are capable of bending sunlight and white light into spectra of colors. Some water prisms can be made with thin pieces of transparent plastics.
Glass Prisms
- Glass prisms are made from BK7 glass, soda-lime glass and sometimes even acrylic glass. Some glass prisms are hollow on the inside so clear liquids like water can be poured into the centers. Glass prisms are used to refract white lights into rainbow spectra.
Plastic Prisms
- Plastic prisms are made from acrylic and transparent unbreakable plastics. Some plastic prisms are hollow so students can pour water into the prisms making the prisms solid. Sometimes these types of prisms can be sealed with different types of glues such as hot and silicone caulk with water already inside.
Quartz Prisms
- Clear quartz crystals are used to make solid crystal prisms. These prisms are able to bend white light and sunlight into beautiful spectra of rainbow colors. Quartz prisms are able to bend white light into spectra without the use of water.

Rocks & Minerals