This demonstration uses a prism, mirrors, and single slits with adjustable position, to show how refraction can be used to isolate particular colours from a white light source. Sophisticated applications of this concept are discussed, for example isolating frequencies within starlight to discover planets.

This item teaches:

• the dispersion effect caused by refraction of light through a prism
• about the nature of white light
• about the secondary colours of light
• about the primary colours of light