Rainbow

A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets, resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicolored circular arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.

Formation of a Rainbow

When sunlight passes through raindrops, the light is refracted, or bent, at different angles, depending on its wavelength. The light is also internally reflected within the raindrop and then refracted again as it exits the drop. The combination of these processes results in the separation of white light into its constituent colors, creating a rainbow.

Colors of the Rainbow

The colors of the rainbow appear in the following order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. This sequence of colors can be remembered using the acronym ROYGBIV.

Double Rainbow

Sometimes, a secondary, fainter arc known as a double rainbow can be seen outside the primary arc. This is caused by light being reflected twice inside the water droplets. The colors of the second arc appear in the reverse order of the primary rainbow.

Study Guide Questions

1. What causes the formation of a rainbow?
2. What is the order of colors in a rainbow?
3. How is a double rainbow formed?
4. What is the scientific term for the bending of light as it passes through different mediums?

Understanding rainbows and their formation can provide insight into the behavior of light and the properties of water droplets, making it a fascinating topic of study!

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