How Are Rainbows Formed? The Science Behind the Colors
How Are Rainbows Formed in Nature?
Good news: You don’t need a prism to witness this spectral display. Mother Nature’s got you covered with raindrops.
Yes, raindrops in the air act like tiny prisms.
Light passes through each water droplet, bending as it goes in and reflecting off the side before it exits. This sequence—entering, bending, and exiting—is a process called refraction.
The Angles and the Arcs: Understanding Optical Geometry
To visualize how rainbows formed in the sky, think about the angles. Light entering a rain droplet bends at specific angles, depending on its color. Red light exits at an angle of 42 degrees, while violet is slightly smaller at 40 degrees.
The different angles from multiple droplets form a complete circle of color in the sky — our beloved rainbow. Ever noticed that most of the time, you see only part of the circle? That’s because the ground gets in the way!
The Double Rainbow
A double rainbow is what happens when light inside the droplets reflects twice, meaning you get a second reflection. The secondary rainbow appears outside the primary bow and has its colors reversed. If you’re lucky enough to see one, it means the water droplets are just the right size for that second show.
What Does a Rainbow Symbolize?
In various cultures, rainbows are symbols of hope, usually representing the promise of upcoming rain. So the next time you see a rainbow, it’s not just a scientific marvel — it’s also a multicultural sign of good things to come!