A prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. It usually has two parallel bases, often in the shape of polygons, and the other surfaces are typically rectangular. When light enters a prism, it bends or refracts, separating the colors of the light spectrum due to their different wavelengths. This effect is called dispersion. Prisms are commonly used in optics, spectroscopy, photography, and other scientific instruments to analyze and manipulate light. They are also used in decorative and artistic applications.