Additional Info

• ID Code: N1-03
• Purpose: Demonstrate continuous spectrum using water as the dispersing medium.
• Description: The bright point source is used to provide a continuous white light spectrum. Light from the point source is focused by a condenser lens with iris and a 20 cm focal length cylindrical lens onto a slit. A 20 cm focal length convex lens then images the slit onto the screen through a prism consisting of an equilateral triangular plastic box filled with water. The spectrum created has less dispersion than that of a glass prism due to the smaller index of refraction of water. The spectrum of a quartz glass prism is shown at the right above for comparison.

  Before showing the demonstration, invite students to predict how the different index of refraction will change the spectrum seen.

• Availability: Available
• References: REFERENCES: (PIRA 6A42.65)
• Loc codes: OM1, LS1