|
Prisms
Sept 27, 2005 19:36:02 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 27, 2005 19:36:02 GMT
You know, how when you shine light through a triangular prism you get a rainbow. Does the same thing happen when you use a hexagonal prism, or any other type of prism, or does it not do anything, or does something different happen?. I've been wondering about this since last year, when we did about triangular prisms. I asked the teacher but jhe didn't know, and didn't have any clear hexagonal prisms for me to try with. I would imagine it would either do the smae because it would still split the light up, or do nothing, because it didn't, but it might do something different? Does anyone know the answer???
|
|
Tomath
Neon
Oh this is evil - StephiB-but fun and he hasn't seen it yet-bubble
heehee- bubble
Posts: 83
|
Prisms
Sept 27, 2005 19:43:08 GMT
Post by Tomath on Sept 27, 2005 19:43:08 GMT
Er... I'm not sure. I suppose it depends whether the prism will allow the light to refract.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 27, 2005 19:44:29 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 27, 2005 19:44:29 GMT
I mean a clear one.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 27, 2005 19:57:47 GMT
Post by lotsahillsv13 on Sept 27, 2005 19:57:47 GMT
I think it would do the same thing as a triangular one ie still produce a rainbow. I shall ask on Thursday.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 27, 2005 22:11:37 GMT
Post by StephiB on Sept 27, 2005 22:11:37 GMT
It separates the colours because the light travels more slowly through the prism then the air. I think. Not sure if it would work with any other though.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 7:31:03 GMT
Post by midgetmogget on Sept 28, 2005 7:31:03 GMT
Triangular prisms are used because they refract the light twice, spreading it out a lot, allowing a decent spectrum to be seen. A hexagonal prism would have to be held at the correct angle to get a decent spectrum. A major problem with it would be the parrell [how do you spell that?] sides - those will cancel each other out.
|
|
Tomath
Neon
Oh this is evil - StephiB-but fun and he hasn't seen it yet-bubble
heehee- bubble
Posts: 83
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 14:43:34 GMT
Post by Tomath on Sept 28, 2005 14:43:34 GMT
Optical fibres work a type of refraction called Total Internal Reflection. When the light enters the glass, it refracts away from the normal line. There is an angle known as the critical angle at which the light will refract right along the surface of the glass (all you HGTTG fans will be interested to know that it's about 42 degrees). If you go greater than this, the light will refract so much that it will not be able to leave the glass. That's Total Internal Reflection.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 15:40:51 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 28, 2005 15:40:51 GMT
i have heard of that
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 15:52:08 GMT
Post by CRG on Sept 28, 2005 15:52:08 GMT
I hadn't. Tch, the teaching standards of today...
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 18:00:01 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 28, 2005 18:00:01 GMT
Well, our science teacher is really good, one of them is anyway. My friends say he's boring and confusing but I like him because he actually pushes you, tells you interesting extra info AND shows you everything you DO need to know for exams
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 19:22:49 GMT
Post by CRG on Sept 28, 2005 19:22:49 GMT
You are a very lucky person. I wish my lessons were like that.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 19:25:21 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 28, 2005 19:25:21 GMT
Our other guy is awful though. Making explosions sound boring is an acheivment in itself, isn't it.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 28, 2005 19:36:38 GMT
Post by CRG on Sept 28, 2005 19:36:38 GMT
I honestly didn't think that was possible. The guy should win a medal for services to boredom!
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 29, 2005 9:06:16 GMT
Post by midgetmogget on Sept 29, 2005 9:06:16 GMT
My physics teacher [one of, anyway] m,anaged to scare the guy fitting sky at her house because of the optical fibres and her going on about them.
|
|
|
Prisms
Sept 29, 2005 15:19:30 GMT
Post by bubble on Sept 29, 2005 15:19:30 GMT
he isn't even old! Old teachers are allowed to be boring- it's natural but he's fairly young. He should actually win the noble prize for boredom.
|
|