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Translation · experimental

The demo uses prepared translations. No AI service is called. The German original is preserved; changes require a new translation review.

Physics · 30 min

White light, many colours

Explain how a prism can separate light into colours.

Prepared demo translation · ENDownload PDF ↓Print viewView original
Glass prism, switched-off optical lamp and projection screen in a physics classroom.
Glass prism, switched-off optical lamp and projection screen in a physics classroom. · AI-generated illustration

01

Take a closer look

White light contains different wavelengths. A glass prism refracts them by different amounts, making a spectrum visible. The image is an illustration, not a measurement record.

02

Now try it

  1. Sketch the light source, prism and screen. Mark incoming and outgoing light.
  2. Explain in your own words the difference between a beam of white light and its spectrum.

03

Think it through

Does the prism create new colours?

See a suggested answer

No. It spatially separates the wavelengths already present in white light through different amounts of refraction.

Fictional demo material. Adapt to the learners and the school’s teaching before use.