Groups of parallel vertical slits are cut into the cylinder to allow light to be projected onto the white boardin sets of essentially parallel rays. Glass prisms and mirrors are used to mainipulate the light rays. This exhibit clearly illustrates refraction and reflection of light. A variety of prisms of different shapes allows the user to differentiate between what happens when light is refracted by straight, convex or concave surfaces. Convex lenses bend light to bring the rays together and concave lenses make the rays spread out.
Prisms separate the colors that make up white light into a spectrum of rainbow colors.
The way in which light is reflected by mirrors depends on the shape of the mirror used. Connections and Applications Eyeglass lenses are used to manipulate light so that it is focused on the retina, the part of the eye which sends signals to the brain. Cameras, telescopes and binoculars also use curved lenses to focus light to specific locations such as onto film or to our eyes. Curved mirrors are used to reflect and focus light such as at the dentist office. This year we enhanced the exhibit by placing a model lighthouse on top of the center cylinder.