2006-08-15 08:10:57 · 20 answers · asked by mani 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
A rainbow is an optical illusion caused by the refraction of light into its primary componants, ROYGBIV=red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The colors represent different wavelegths of light energy, with red having the longest wavelegth and lowest energy and violet the shortest with highest energy.
You can not approach it because you only see it because of your perspective. When you go 'toward' it, you change the angles and then the light does not refract in that special way anymore.
2006-08-15 08:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The "rainbow" is simply a prismatic effect of the visible (white) light being split into its colors by the rain droplets. It appears to move from you as you approach it, because as you move, your angle changes with respect to the light entering your eyes. Hence, it appears to "move with you", and you will never be able to reach it. By the way, you can make your own "rainbow" with your garden hose on a summer day, if you have a nozzle with a fine mist spray on it. Simply hold it near the light, but do not look directly at the sun, and you will see your own "rainbow". Have fun!
2006-08-15 08:19:35 · answer #2 · answered by wespectmyauthoritah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a rainbow is a prism of color reflecting off a certain puddle or cloud with alot of mositure. Even a body of water. It's colorful cause of the chemicals and such in the air. Even carbon dioxide plays a part in the colors of the rainbow.
it goes far when you get closer cause it's just a prism of reflection that fades when you get closer. which makes it look like it's getting futher.
2006-08-15 08:18:30 · answer #3 · answered by trish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rainbow is an illusion when the the color spectrum is created from the sun's when the reflect on drops of water.
2006-08-16 03:51:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rainbows are refracted light showing all the colors in the visible spectrum through mist in the sky. That is why they show up after rain showers. It is like looking through a prism.
2006-08-15 08:16:39 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Roy G. Biv is visible due to refraction of sunlight as it passes through suspended moisture in the lower atmosphere. ROYGBIV are the 7 colors of light in the spectrum.
2006-08-15 08:17:05 · answer #6 · answered by hmb9605 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'cos the leprechauns are cheap ba****ds and wanna keep the money all to themselves, that's why.
Lol, honestly I have no idea. Probably something to do with the moisture in the air that reflects the light or something and as for it going farther? I guess it depends on the angle at which you look at the rainbow... as you move, the angle changes and the rainbow goes farther.......yeah...I'll stop now....
2006-08-15 08:15:39 · answer #7 · answered by pacific_crush 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
light refraction, water drops work as translucent prism this brakes down light into its different components and hence you get a rainbow, there are more colors but you can not see them with a human eye
2006-08-15 08:13:53 · answer #8 · answered by lportil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
raindow is colorful bacause the sun rays deflect on the water droplets and the defraction of light creates the 7 waveforms which create 7 colors.
and its never near. it looks so because of the round sahpe of earth.
2006-08-15 08:18:39 · answer #9 · answered by spooky_bebun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because those are the wave lengths of "white light" broken down into it's component parts.
Combine all those "colors" (wave length frequencies) in a reverse prism and you would once again "MAKE" white light.
2006-08-15 08:17:32 · answer #10 · answered by bigbill4u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋