Q: Is a prism a transparent optical element with flat? ¶
A: Yes, and polished surfaces that refract light.
Q: Are prisms sometimes used for the internal reflection at the surfaces rather than for dispersion? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Are prisms used to deflect a beam of light by a fixed angle? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Are prisms used to laterally displace a beam of light without inverting the image? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Are prisms used to reflect light? ¶
A: Yes, and in order to flip, invert, rotate, deviate or displace the light beam.
Q: Were prisms used on sailing ships to bring daylight below deck? ¶
A: Yes, since candles and kerosene lamps are a fire hazard on wooden ships.
Q: Is a prism not in fact in the shape of geometric prisms? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Are prisms used to break up light into its constituent spectral colors because the refractive index depends on frequency? ¶
A: Yes, the white light entering the prism is a mixture of different frequencies, each of which gets bent slightly differently.