Prism

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This glass prism, with cut glass handles, was probably made in England in the 19th century.

The prism has a triangular section, each of its three sides being 60 degrees from the next. Although this example was made for optical demonstrations, prisms like this were used in the manufacture of chandeliers.

By passing a beam of sunlight through a prism, Isaac Newton noticed that rays of light which differ in colour also differ in the amount by which they are bent - or refracted - as they pass through glass, and out again.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-791-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
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• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1981.14
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Glass
  
• Dimensions: 225 mm x 35 mm x 30 mm
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: England
  
• Event:
• Description: Glass prism with cut glass handles, probably England, 19th century
  
• References:
  • Bennett, J. A., The Whipple Museum of the History of Science Catalogue 5: Spectroscopes, Prisms and Gratings. Cambridge: 1984, items 61-6 
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