Turn ordinary light into a colourful rainbow using this glass prism. Just like Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century, demonstrate to your students that white light is in fact composed of different colours. The prism is made from quality thick, optical glass.

What You Get
Equilateral Glass Prism, Angles 60 x 60 x 60. Each side is 25mm in length and 75mm thick.

How does it work?
To create your rainbow spectrum find a light-coloured wall with a nearby light source (like a window or lamp) and hold the prism up to the light. You may have to move it around a little to see the rainbow.

When white, or ordinary light, moves from air to the glass prism it is bent (or refracted) at different angles depending on wavelength. Upon leaving the glass prism, the wavelengths are bent again at different angles allowing the spectrum to be displayed. Violet light is spread one way, and the red a different way, with the other colours arranged in between.

Natural rainbows occur because rain acts just like tiny prisms bending and splitting light.

Teach
Light and colour properties
Light is composed of different wavelengths and colours
Spectrum
How rainbows are formed
How light travels in different mediums.

FAQ
The intensity of the spectrum produced depends on a number of factors, including the source of the light, room brightness, wall colour, and angle of prism. A bright, vivid spectrum can only be produced under very specific conditions, and with a lot of patience. In the event of breakage, or splintering, dispose of immediately.