A good example is an achromatic lens constructed with both crown and flint glasses. Interactive Java Tutorial Refraction by a Prism Examine how white light is separated into its component colors by refraction through the various angles in a prism. Adjust the incident angle and beam thickness and observe the effects on refraction. Thus, when one views dispersed light from a prism, we see a rainbow-like effect where the component frequencies are split according to wavelength. This concept can be more thoroughly explored using our interactive Java tutorial that allows the student to change the incident angle and beam thickness of white light striking a prism.
Many devices make use of the fact that light can be refracted, reflected, and focused.
Other optical devices include microscopes and telescopes that allow us to view details that are invisible to the unaided human eye, regardless of whether they are located on the head of a pin or in a distant galaxy. Authors Mortimer Abramowitz - Olympus America, Inc., Two Corporate Center Drive., Melville, New York, 11747. All Rights Reserved . No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders.