Physical phenomena which are responsible for rainbow formation
A rainbow is an excellent demonstration of the dispersion of light and refraction.
What is dispersion?
Visible light consists of a collection of component colours. When light passes through a triangular prism, it is separated into its component colours -- Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green , Yellow, Orange and Red. ( VIBGYOR) . The separation of visible light into its component colours is known as dispersion.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of the path of a light wave as it passes from one medium to the other. The refraction occurs at the boundary and is caused by change in the speed of light. The speed of a light wave changes when it travels from less dense medium to more dense medium or vice a versa.
Here, we have 2 mediums : water and air. Out of them , water is more dense than air. Hence , the speed of light reduces. This causes the light to bend from its initial path. This is refraction.
After that , dispersion takes place and we see 7 colours in a rainbow.
A rainbow is an excellent demonstration of the dispersion of light and refraction.
What is dispersion?
Visible light consists of a collection of component colours. When light passes through a triangular prism, it is separated into its component colours -- Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green , Yellow, Orange and Red. ( VIBGYOR) . The separation of visible light into its component colours is known as dispersion.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of the path of a light wave as it passes from one medium to the other. The refraction occurs at the boundary and is caused by change in the speed of light. The speed of a light wave changes when it travels from less dense medium to more dense medium or vice a versa.
Here, we have 2 mediums : water and air. Out of them , water is more dense than air. Hence , the speed of light reduces. This causes the light to bend from its initial path. This is refraction.
After that , dispersion takes place and we see 7 colours in a rainbow.
