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 multicoloured 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 in the air, the light is refracted (bent) and then reflected inside the water droplet. This causes the light to disperse into its individual colors, creating a spectrum of colors that we see as a rainbow. The colors appear in the order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (often remembered by the acronym ROYGBIV).

Study Guide

1. What causes a rainbow to form?
   A rainbow is caused by the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets, resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky.
2. Explain the process of rainbow formation.
   When sunlight passes through raindrops, the light is refracted, reflected, and dispersed into its individual colors, creating a spectrum of colors that we see as a rainbow.
3. What is the order of colors in a rainbow?
   The colors appear in the order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV).

Understanding the formation and characteristics of rainbows can help us appreciate the beauty of this natural phenomenon and the science behind it.

[Rainbow] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Light and OpticsPhysics • High School