# Prism Lab — Refraction and optics bench > Physics simulation app for light refraction and reflection through prisms. (iPhone/iPad app by KZ Labs.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prism-lab/id301875263 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [KZ Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1091008972) - Category: Education, Utilities - Price: Free - Rating: 3.30/5 from 287 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 2 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), European Spanish - Released: 2009-01-16 - Data updated: 2026-10-15 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prism-lab/id301875263/reviews.md ## What is Prism Lab? Prism Lab is an optics bench in your pocket. Put a piece of glass on the graph paper, aim the laser at it, and watch the light bend, bounce and split, with every angle measured for you. It follows the experiments from a school ray box kit, so it works as a companion to the lab or on its own. THE BENCH • Nine pieces: a simple surface, 45-90-45 and 60-60-60 prisms, rectangle, square, semicircle, convex and concave lenses, and an optical fibre. • Drag the laser and where it aims. The angles of incidence, refraction and reflection update as you move. • Tap any angle and type the value you want. The laser swings there so you can see how it gets to it. • One, three or five parallel beams, to find the focus of a lens. MATERIALS • 119 materials for the piece and for what surrounds it: glasses, liquids, gems and gases, each with its refractive index. • The critical angle is worked out for every pair, and you can see total internal reflection happen. COLOUR • White light opens into a spectrum, because each colour bends by its own amount. • 77 materials use published dispersion data. For the rest the app tells you the spread is an estimate. • Red, yellow, green, blue and violet lasers, in the width you choose. LIGHTS OFF • Turn the lights off and the beams glow, as in a dark classroom. NO STRINGS • No account, no ads, and no data collected. • Everything is free. If you find it useful you can buy the developers a coffee. In English, Spanish and French, for iPhone and iPad. ## Key features - Laser refraction simulation - Snell's Law implementation - Adjustable light source - Variable prism shapes - Different material options - Angle calculation ## Is Prism Lab safe? Prism Lab has mixed safety signals based on user ratings. The AppsHunter Safety Score for Prism Lab is 66 out of 100. This assessment is based on 287 user ratings, with an App Store average of 3.3 out of 5. Of 287 App Store ratings, 48.1% point to a safe experience, 22.3% suggest some concerns, and 29.6% point to a risky experience. ## Is Prism Lab legit? Prism Lab appears to be a legitimate app. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Prism Lab is 95 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Recent user reviews (5 of 5) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prism-lab/id301875263/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Needs a little work *2013-02-01* Buttons don't work to select from the environment and prism index libraries. It would also be nice to have the ability to change the wavelength of the laser. ### 4/5 — Needs reflection *2009-09-23* Put in the reflected angle. ### 5/5 — Pretty nifty little application *2009-07-07* As an Optical Engineer, I find this app an intriguing little tool just to use for showing my friends or illustrating something. Simple and yet very well done. The list of material refractive indices is very very complete. That alone makes it useful to have on me. Only thing I would want would be a few more prisms or maybe even the ability to create our own by dragging some handles around. Perhaps even prism unfolding, but that's just me being hopeful. Excellent for being free! ### 5/5 — Awesome *2009-04-09* It Seems like you copied IOR for the mass thing, but great job ### 5/5 — Perfect! *2009-03-15* This application is awesome. It computes then formulas quite accurately. It is definetly worth the purchase. It does exactly what it says it does!! Great job!!!! ## Frequently asked questions about Prism Lab ### What is Prism Lab? Prism Lab is a free educational application that simulates how lasers refract and reflect when passing through prisms. It uses Snell's Law to calculate the changes in light's trajectory as it moves between different environments. ### How does Prism Lab work? The app allows users to move a light source and observe how light interacts with various prism shapes and materials. It calculates entry and exit angles, demonstrating principles of reflection and refraction based on the properties of the materials involved. ### Who would find Prism Lab useful? Prism Lab is particularly useful for individuals studying physics or optics, including students and professionals. It provides a hands-on, visual way to grasp complex optical phenomena. ### Does Prism Lab have ads? No, Prism Lab does not contain advertisements. It is a free application without any in-app purchases or ad support. ### What devices does Prism Lab support? Prism Lab is available for iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed for iOS platforms. ### How often is Prism Lab updated? The application was last updated on January 16, 2009, with version 1.0.0. There have been no subsequent updates listed. ### What is the age rating for Prism Lab? Prism Lab has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in educational simulations. ### Can I track my progress in Prism Lab? Prism Lab is a simulation tool focused on demonstrating optical principles rather than tracking user progress. It allows for experimentation with different scenarios to understand concepts. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 2.0.0 — 2026-10-12 Prism Lab is back, rebuilt from scratch for today's iPhone and iPad. • A new look: graph paper, ink and a highlighter-yellow beam. • White light that splits into colours. • Tap an angle to type it. • Lights-off mode. • Laser colour and width settings. • 119 materials, with measured dispersion for 77 of them. ### 1.0.0 — 2009-01-16 No release notes. ## More apps by KZ Labs - [Quick Graph](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quick-graph/id292412367) - [Crazy Drops](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crazy-drops/id301231687) - [Canvas Model Design](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-model-design/id568186908) - [WallBalls: Divide and Conquer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wallballs-divide-and-conquer/id813030354) All apps by KZ Labs: https://appshunter.io/developer/1091008972 ## Related topics [cloudlabs optical phenomena](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cloudlabs-optical-phenomena) · [cloudlabs dispersion of light](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cloudlabs-dispersion-of-light) · [optique](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/optique) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-15.*