High School Prism Forming Image: Nature & Types

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Prisms do form images, but the nature of these images can vary. They typically create virtual images rather than real ones, as prisms do not focus light in the same way that curved lenses or mirrors do. The discussion highlights that while the classification of images as real or virtual is important, it should not overshadow the fundamental behavior of light. The argument about whether a rainbow constitutes an image of the Sun illustrates the complexity of image perception through prisms. Ultimately, understanding how prisms manipulate light is more crucial than the terminology used to describe the resulting images.
navneet9431
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Do Prism form image?
If they do form image, then what is the nature of the image formed?
 
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  1. Is this homework?
  2. Have you ever looked at a prism?
  3. What research have you done to answer this?
 
navneet9431 said:
Do Prism form image?
If they do form image, then what is the nature of the image formed?
An image is something you see. Do you see things in or with a prism?
It would be interesting to know your opinion about this.
Classifying images in terms of real and virtual is really not something to lose sleep over and what name you give an image makes no difference to where the light goes (a much more important thing). I remember arguing for a long time with someone who strongly denied that a rainbow is, somehow, an image of the Sun. A pretty pointless argument on both sides.
A real image usually involves light being focussed so that it passes through an identifiable location. This is only achieved with curved lenses or mirrors. A simple prism is not curved.
A virtual image doesn't involve light being 'focussed' at all. Does a prism focus light?
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

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