2006-06-27 17:48:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
When we draw a circle with a compass, we keep the angle between the two legs constant.
A ray from the top most point on the rainbow to our eye makes an angle to the horizontal direction. Theory says this angle is a constant.
Imagine the ray as one leg of long compass and the horizontal direction as another leg which points the center. Keeping the angle constant when the compass is rotated an arc is formed.
If we go high up we can see the whole circle.
2006-06-27 17:59:47 · answer #1 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is like a bow because the effect comes into play at the same distance to the observer. There are water droplets everywhere however, only at the correct distance does the effect becomes visible to the observer. So the rainbow appears as a bow. If the observer floats, he should see a circle. Every rainbow (caused by 1 internal reflection in the water droplet) is accompanied by an inverted (colour wise) secondary rainbow (much fainter - 2 internal reflections). Next time, when you see a rainbow, try to look out for the fainter rainbow and take note of the order of its colours.
2006-06-28 07:45:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Pooja
Rainbows are actually circle shaped. They look bow shaped because the horizon gets in the way of seeing the rest of the rainbow. However it is possible to see a circular rainbow if you're sufficiently high and the sun is in the right spot behind you.
Hope this helps!
the Chicken
2006-06-28 00:55:59 · answer #3 · answered by Magic Chicken 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a phenomena related to the bending of the light in an atmosphere dense with tiny, tiny water droplets that each act as miniature prisms. The rainbow itself is of course an optical illusion and will always appear to be oriented towards you. Because the water droplets simply act as a gaint lense, the rainbow is really a full circle. Occassionally, pilots have reported seeing complete, circular rainbows at very high altitudes.
2006-06-28 01:08:51 · answer #4 · answered by Argon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a reflections of the sun in raindrops,are very common after a rain shower,but a more beautiful bow is the moonbow or also know as the lunar rainbow,or white rainbow that appears at night ,they are seldom mentioned but a beautiful site to see
2006-06-28 01:06:47 · answer #5 · answered by underworld 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually, rainbows are circular. it's just from the angle we see them, you only see an arc.
2006-06-28 00:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by andydufresne1982 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please follow the link below. If you any problem understanding this let me know it.
2006-06-28 01:13:16 · answer #7 · answered by ved_vishwa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋