Dispersão em Prisma (desvio mínimo)

The prism dispersion calculator determines the minimum deviation of a light beam passing through a triangular prism. Minimum deviation is the smallest angle between the incident and emergent directions, occurring when the beam passes symmetrically through the prism. The formula used is D_min ≈ 2·arcsin(n·sin(A/2)) − A, where n is the refractive index of the material and A is the prism apex angle. This calculation is essential for understanding how light splits into colors when passing through prisms, a phenomenon known as chromatic dispersion.

Use this tool in physics labs, optics classes, or engineering projects involving prisms. For example, when studying the decomposition of white light into a visible spectrum, minimum deviation helps predict the exit angle of each color. It is also useful in designing spectrometers and optical equipment that rely on wavelength separation.

Important considerations: the formula assumes the prism is immersed in air (refractive index 1) and that light is incident in the cross-sectional plane. Additionally, minimum deviation occurs only for a specific incidence angle, which depends on n and A. Values of n vary with wavelength, so for white light, each color has a different minimum deviation. The calculator provides the deviation for a single n; for multiple colors, repeat the calculation with the respective indices.