In this podcast episode, the discussion centers on the fascinating physics of prisms and the way light transforms into a rainbow spectrum as it passes through them. The host offers a fresh take on the typical high school explanation, diving deeper into why light slows down and how its colors are affected by different mediums. By comparing the interaction of light with charged particles in materials to driven harmonic oscillators, the speaker reveals how the frequency of light impacts the amplitude of these oscillations. This interaction causes phase shifts in the light wave, resulting in refraction and the beautiful separation of colors. To illustrate this concept, the host uses relatable analogies, like the motion of pushing a child on a swing, to show the connection between light frequency and the material's response.
