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    Home » Science Questions » How to Make a Rainbow with a Prism

    How to Make a Rainbow with a Prism

    June 21, 2019 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Visible or white light is made up of a range of colours each with a different wavelength. One way to see the different colours is to use a prism to split the light. When white light enters the prism it slows down and changes direction. The amount the light changes depends on the wavelength. Red light changes direction the least and violet the most.

    Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum we can see. Each colour has a range of wavelengths. Red has a long wavelength and low frequency and violet has a short wavelength and high frequency.

    What is a prism?

    A prism is a triangular block of glass or perspex which splits light into its constituent colours.

    When light enters a prism it is refracted. Each colour of the spectrum is refracted by a different amount and the colours are dispersed ( spread out ) allowing you to see them.

    A prism is a great way to demonstrate visually that white light is actually made up of 7 different colours.

    How to split white light with a prism

    How to split white light with a prism.  Easy instructions for how to make a rainbow with a prism.
    Prism splitting light into the colours of the rainbow

    What you need to split light

    Triangular prism

    White cardboard

    Large sheet of white paper

    Dark coloured cardboard

    Tape or glue

    Large tray or sheet of thick card

    How to use a prism

    If it’s not a sunny day, you can use a torch.

    Use the dark card to create a slit over a sheet of white card. Place the card so sunlight shines through giving a thin beam of light.

    Place the prism over the light and rotate it until you can see the light split into the spectrum of colours.

    How to split light with a triangular prism#physicsforkids
    Instructions for using a prism to split light

    Why does a prism split light?

    White light, which enters the prism, is a mixture of different wavelengths, which get bent ( refracted ) by different amounts though the prism, allowing them to be seen separately.

    Facts about light waves

    Light travels in straight lines.

    It takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds for light to reach Earth from the Sun.

    Light waves can travel through a vacuum.

    Visible light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

    Light waves are much faster than sound waves.

    Wavelengths of the visible spectrum of light range from 400nm ( violet end ) to 700nm (red end ).

    diagram showing the different colours that make up visible light

    More learning activities about light

    Find out how to make a rainbow using a hosepipe!

    Reverse the direction of arrows with this easy light refraction experiment.

    Learn about how light travels in straight lines by making a light maze.

    light maze with mirrors
    Make a rainbow with a prism following these easy instructions #scienceoflight #scienceforkids #coolscienceforkids
    How to split light with a prism

    Last Updated on May 7, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « Why is the sky blue?
    Why is the ocean blue »

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    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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