How to Assemble an Optical Prism

Optical prisms are easily constructed and demonstrated, as they consist simply of a glass prism and a light source, which is typically a lamp or flashlight. Optical prisms are used in mid-elementary to middle school science classes to demonstrate the visible spectrum of light and to teach the colors of the spectrum, which are typically taught based on the mnemonic device "Roy G. Biv." This light spectrum can be measured in advanced sciences using a spectrometer.

Things You'll Need

• Glass prism
• Flashlight
• Table

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Set the glass prism on one end vertically, with the flat base of the triangle facing away from you.

   • 2

     Place the lamp perpendicular to the rear of the prism so that the light will hit the side at an angle.

   • 3

     Turn on the lamp. Pull it away from the prism until the entire light beam hits the side of the prism.

   • 4

     Dim the overhead light. The light will pass through the prism. On the other side, the colors of the visible light spectrum can be seen with the naked eye.