Prism Refraction for 8th grade science fair

[DAK]

thanks for clicking on this. Question:How do differently shaped prisms refract light? i need ideas for the experiment itself. please help! thanks again

[deleted-2131]

Refraction is the "bending" of waves as they change mediums. Because of this, refraction is called a boundary phenomenon. It is important that you realize that light can be thought of as a wave. Waves have different velocities in different mediums, and so when a wave changes medium, it changes velocity. It is important to note that velocity is a vector quantity, with magnitude and direction. Thus, the wave not only changes its speed, but also its direction.

People usually measure the direction a wave front is propogating as an angle, called the angle of incidence. The angle that the light comes out at once it has passed through the prism is called the angle of refraction. So, if a light wave of a specific wavelegth, traveling at a specific velocity, encounters a boundary, like the edge of the prism, it will change its velocity and wavelength.

Take a look at the topic in this forum called "Measuring Index of Refraction with a Laser Pointer;" it has lots of good information on this subject and deals with exactly the questions that you are asking.

[deleted-2131]

Oops, I'm sorry. The topic you should take a look is is called "Measuring Sugar Content with a Laser Pointer." Here is a link to it: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... php?t=2223

[DAK]

TERICK, Thanks very much, I appreciate it!!! I will look into it.

[DAK]

Sorry, . . . .Terik (misspelled name!)