The Physics of Light -- Prisms and Lenses

Prisms and Lenses

When light moves from one medium to another, it may change direction, a phenomenon called refraction. This makes possible prisms and lenses, and is the ultimate origin of rainbows and the diamond's sparkle.

The pencil looks bent, but it is not. It is the light that changes direction at the surface of the water.

Main pages in this section:

Section Estimated time required
Exploring prisms and lenses 60 minutes
Prisms and lenses in a light beam 60 minutes
A simple microscope 30 minutes
Science content: refraction, prisms, and lenses 30 minutes
Discussion of refraction, prisms, and lenses 60 minutes

Other pages relevant to this section:
Why study prisms and lenses?
Rainbows

Next section: curved mirrors

Section	Estimated time required
Exploring prisms and lenses	60 minutes
Prisms and lenses in a light beam	60 minutes
A simple microscope	30 minutes
Science content: refraction, prisms, and lenses	30 minutes
Discussion of refraction, prisms, and lenses	60 minutes

Sunbeams enter the glass jewel and then bounce around inside until they find their way out. Because optical properties of the glass depend on wavelength slightly, the outgoing beams have different colors going in different directions.