3 Questions
Which of the following correctly describes a rainbow?
A colorful arch formed by sunlight and raindrops
What causes a rainbow to form?
Sunlight and raindrops
What is the shape of a rainbow?
An arch
Study Notes
Characteristics of a Rainbow
- A rainbow is a colorful optical phenomenon that appears in the sky after a rain shower
- It is a spectrum of light that appears as an arc of colors in the sky
Formation of a Rainbow
- A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air at a precise angle, causing refraction and dispersion of light
- The refracted light is then reflected off the back of the water droplet and exits the droplet at a different angle, creating the colors of the rainbow
Shape of a Rainbow
- A rainbow is typically circular in shape, but it appears as an arc because the Earth gets in the way of our line of sight
- The arc shape of a rainbow is actually a segment of a circle, with the center of the circle being the position of the sun
Test your knowledge about rainbows with this quiz! Learn about common misconceptions, the science behind their formation, and why they appear as semi-circles. Challenge yourself and become a rainbow expert!
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