An optical prism is a transparent object, usually made of glass or plastic, that refracts light. When light passes through a prism, it bends and separates into its component colors, creating a spectrum. This phenomenon occurs because different colors of light travel at different speeds in the material of the prism. Prisms are commonly used in various applications, including cameras, binoculars, and spectroscopes. They can also be found in decorative items, where they create beautiful rainbows when exposed to sunlight. The study of light and prisms is an important part of optics, the branch of physics that deals with light behavior.