Why do we see a rainbow in the sky only after rainfall?

Question

Answer

We see a rainbow in the sky only after rainfall due to dispersion of sunlight by tiny water droplets, present in the atmosphere due to rainfall. These droplets act as a prism after rainfall, for the rays coming from the Sun. Subsequently, the sunlight after striking the surface of these droplets gets refracted and then gets dispersed into its seven constituent colours. After this, the light rays are subjected to total internal reflection (complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium from the surrounding surfaces back into the medium). At that point, the rays are again refracted when they come out of the water droplet. Hence, the rainbow is formed.

Answer

Rainbow is a combination of refraction, dispersion and total internal reflection of sunlight. In sky, prism like objects are needed for the dispersion of light. After rainfall, tiny water drops suspended in air act as prisms. Hence, we see a rainbow in the sky only after rainfall.

Answer

After a shower of rain, rain drops are suspended in air and when a ray of light enters this drop, the drop acts as a prism and splits into its component colors as dispersion takes place. Lights of different colours emerge from the rain drops such as red at the top and violet at the bottom. Thus, a rainbow is formed.

Answer

After a shower of rain, rain drops are suspended in air and when a ray of light enters this drop, the drop acts as a prism and splits into its component colors as dispersion takes place. Lights of different colours emerge from the rain drops such as red at the top and violet at the bottom. Thus, a rainbow is formed.

Answer

Becouse of dispersion of sunlight by tiny water droplet which act as small prism in our Atmosphere
we can also See a rainbow by seeing the sky in front of water fall.

Answer

Why do we see a rainbow in the sky only after rainfall?
A rainbow is a beautiful and natural phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is refracted, or bent, by water droplets in the air. It is usually seen in the sky after rainfall. Let us explore the scientific explanation behind this phenomenon.

Principle of Refraction
The key principle behind the formation of a rainbow is the refraction of light. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. When light passes through a medium of different density, such as air to water, it changes direction and speed.

Formation of Droplets
After rainfall, the air is filled with tiny water droplets. These droplets act as small prisms that refract and disperse sunlight. Each droplet acts independently, refracting and reflecting the light.

Dispersion of Light
When sunlight enters a water droplet, it undergoes refraction and separates into its component colors due to the different wavelengths of each color. This process is known as dispersion. The colors that make up white light, namely red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, are dispersed at different angles within the droplet.

Reflection and Refraction
After dispersion, the light is reflected off the inner surface of the droplet and then refracted again as it exits the droplet. This causes the light to change direction once more. The angle at which the light exits the droplet determines the color that is visible to an observer.

Multiple Reflections and Refractions
As sunlight passes through numerous droplets in the air, it undergoes multiple reflections and refractions. This causes the different colors to overlap and form a circular arc in the sky. The lower part of the arc appears red, and the upper part appears violet.

Rain and Sunlight
Rainfall provides the necessary water droplets in the air for the formation of a rainbow. Additionally, the presence of sunlight is crucial for the rainbow to be visible. The sunlight needs to be at a specific angle, usually between 40 and 42 degrees, relative to the observer's line of sight.

Conclusion
In conclusion, we see a rainbow in the sky only after rainfall because it requires the presence of water droplets in the air and sunlight at a specific angle. The refraction and dispersion of sunlight by these droplets create the beautiful colors that we observe in a rainbow. It is a natural phenomenon that never fails to captivate our imagination and bring a sense of wonder and beauty to the world around us.

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