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

1. When sunlight enters a water droplet, it undergoes refraction, bending as it moves from air into the denser water.

2. The light is then reflected off the inside surface of the droplet, and as it exits the droplet, it undergoes another refraction.

3. This process of refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light creates the colors of the rainbow, with red on the outer part and violet on the inner part.

Facts about Rainbows

• Rainbows are not physical objects and can't be approached or touched.
• Double rainbows occur when light is reflected twice inside a water droplet.
• Rainbows can also be observed in mist, spray, fog, and dew.
• The order of colors in a rainbow is: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV).

Study Guide

Here are some questions to help you understand the topic of rainbows:

1. What causes the formation of a rainbow?
2. Why do rainbows appear in the sky opposite the sun?
3. Explain the process of refraction and reflection of light in the formation of a rainbow.
4. What are the colors of the rainbow in order?
5. Can rainbows be observed in other weather conditions apart from rain?
6. What is a double rainbow?

[Rainbow] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Light and OpticsPhysics • High School