How is a rainbow formed?a)Reflection of sunlightb)Refraction and refle...
A rainbow is formed by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays through raindrops.
How is a rainbow formed?a)Reflection of sunlightb)Refraction and refle...
How a Rainbow is Formed
Rainbows are beautiful natural phenomena that occur under specific atmospheric conditions. The correct answer to how they are formed is option 'B': "Refraction and reflection of the sun's rays through raindrops."
Key Processes in Rainbow Formation
- Refraction: When sunlight enters a raindrop, it bends or refracts due to a change in medium from air to water. This bending of light occurs because different colors of light have different wavelengths, causing them to bend at slightly different angles.
- Dispersion: As the light refracts, it splits into its component colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). This phenomenon is known as dispersion.
- Reflection: After dispersion, the light reflects off the inner surface of the raindrop. This reflection sends the light back towards the front of the droplet.
- Second Refraction: As the light exits the droplet, it refracts again. This second bending increases the separation of colors, making the rainbow more vivid.
Viewing the Rainbow
- The observer must be positioned with the sun behind them and the rain in front.
- The angle at which the light exits the raindrop determines the order of colors seen in the rainbow, with red on the outer edge and violet on the inner edge.
In summary, the formation of a rainbow is a result of the intricate interplay of refraction, reflection, and dispersion of sunlight through raindrops, creating a stunning spectrum of colors in the sky.
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