Light and the Formation of Rainbows

Water droplets in the air bend light to create rainbows. Sunlight contains a visible spectrum of colors with different wavelengths. As sunlight enters the atmosphere, it undergoes refraction due to the change in density between air and water. Reflected off the back of water droplets and refracted again as it exits, the light separates the different colors and creates the distinctive arc of a rainbow.

Rainbow colors appear in the specific order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Rainbows can also form through glass and crystal, and the same principles create other phenomena, such as oil slick patterns on water.

Rainbows have practical applications in science and technology, such as in rainbow holograms used in credit cards and passports for security features. Spectroscopy analyzes chemical composition through the dispersion of light.

In conclusion, the formation of rainbows is a result of the interaction between light and matter, and is a beautiful and fascinating example of the physical principles at work in our world. If you’re interested in learning more about physics and the natural world, consider joining Concept First’s O Level Physics Tuition and A Level H2 Physics Tuition. With the guidance of experienced tutors, you can deepen your understanding of the physical world and its many wonders.