Catching a Rainbow with a Prism
Ages 3–9
Key Insight
A prism bends light and splits it into a beautiful rainbow!
📖 Explanation
🧒 For Ages 3-5 (Simple Words)
Did you know white light is hiding a rainbow? When light goes through a special triangle glass, the colors jump out to say hello!🌈
🎒 For Ages 6-9 (Science Talk)
Refraction and Dispersion
Light bends when it enters glass—this is called refraction. Because different colors bend at different angles, the white light splits into its seven component colors. This is called dispersion.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a mirror?
- Yes, but a prism is much more effective at splitting the light clearly.
🧪 Rainbow Projector
~5 minCreate a rainbow on your wall.
🛒 Supplies
📋 Steps
- 1
☀️ Find Sunlight
Go to a sunny window.
- 2
💎 Angle it
Rotate the prism until a rainbow appears on the wall.
📖 Read Next
Why Do Leaves Change Color in Fall?
Leaves change color in fall because trees stop making green chlorophyll, revealing hidden yellow and orange pigments while creating new red ones!
Why Do Volcanoes Erupt? 🌋
Volcanoes erupt when hot melted rock called magma pushes up from deep inside the Earth and bursts through the surface as lava!
Why Do Stars Twinkle at Night?
Stars twinkle because Earth's atmosphere bends starlight as it travels to your eyes, making the light dance and shimmer like a tiny disco ball in the sky!