In

optics, a prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light.

A triangular prism-

In geometry, a polyhedron with two parallel polygonal bases is called a prism. The traditional geometrical shape of a triangular prism with a Hexagonal triangular base and rectangular prism sides, is usually referred to as "prism". Other types include pentagonal prism , hexagonal prism etc.

-Triangular prism

Decagonal prism

Prisms can be made from any material that is transparent to the wavelengths for which they are designed. The refractive index of a medium varies with the wavelength /color of light used. The wavelength of yellow is the average of the wavelengths of red and violet which are the extreme colors in the visible spectrum. So for defining the of a medium yellow color light is used . In air , of prism = by Snells Law.

 In

a glass slab, the emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray. Whereas in a prism the emergent ray makes an angle with the incident ray, which is called the angle of deviation.

The incident ray PQ suffers two refractions, one at Q, going from air to glass and other at R from glass to air. The path of the ray deviates through on passing through the prism. = A(-1) ;where = angle of deviation, =refractive index of the material of the prism. A=Angle of prism

For a prism, the angle of minimum deviation is the smallest possible angle between the incident and refracted rays; this angle is realized when refraction is symmetrical.

In a prism, the deviation is minimal for the symmetric light path (top trace).

At minimum deviation i= e and r1 = r2 . Then

 If

the refractive index of a material of equilateral prism is then what is the angle of minimum deviation of prism? White light passes through a prism which color shows minimum deviation?

En.wikipedia.org www.ricksmath.com www.edmundoptics.com NCERT book.