Why do we see rainbows after rain?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Water droplets refract sunlight
Water droplets refract sunlight ✓ — Correct! Light refraction and dispersion! Rainbows form when: (1) Sunlight enters raindrop—refracts (bends). (2) Disperses—different wavelengths bend differently (red least, violet most). (3) Reflects off back of droplet. (4) Exits droplet—refracts again. (5) Separated colors reach eyes. Conditions needed: sun behind observer, rain ahead. Rainbow angle: 42° from antisolar point. Double rainbows—second reflection inside droplet (reversed colors). Circular rainbow (from airplane). Moonbows exist! Each person sees unique rainbow—depends on viewing angle. ROYGBIV order!
Clouds reflect colorful light — Wrong. Rainbows form inside individual raindrops—sunlight refracts, disperses into colors, then reflects back to observer's eyes.
Chemical reaction in rainwater — Wrong. No chemical reaction—purely physical optics. Light refracts and disperses through water droplets, separating into visible spectrum.
More Weather & Climate questions
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