2006-11-01 22:02:03 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
I know what you mean, you don't want to know why it is changed into the full spectrum due to that the different colours retract better than others but why it does, well i think it is done at random!
2006-11-01 22:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by John S 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rainbows are actually circular, We normally only see part of the entire circle, so it appears as an arc.
The colors are formed by water being refracted by sunlight. Since the water is dispersive, the amount that the sunlight is bent depends upon the wavelength, and hence color, of the light's constituent parts. Blue light is refracted at a greater angle than red light, but because the area of the back of the droplet has a focal point inside the droplet, the spectrum crosses itself, and therefore the red light appears higher in the sky, and forms the outer color of the rainbow. Because of the difference in angles, the rainbow forms a circle.
The location of a rainbow is entirely dependent on atmospheric conditions. It is rare, but possible for 2 rainbows to be visible at the same time. It is also possible, at times, to see the entire circle.
2006-11-02 06:14:42 · answer #2 · answered by kidd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rainbow is seen when sunlight shines through water - you'll find that a rainbow is seen in the direction that has the sun at your back, so where the rainbow is depends on where the sun is in the sky.
As to why it's an arch, I've always wondered that myself - maybe it's something to do with raindrops being spherical? You can get full circle rainbows seen in the spray at big waterfalls, so the arch we see is really on part of the full rainbow.
2006-11-02 06:37:52 · answer #3 · answered by junkmonkey1983 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rainbow is usually due to the change in the velocity of light. When light passes from one medium to other the density of the medium creates the light to get slightly bent at an angle. This creates a rainbow. It can be seen in any medium when light passes through it. eg. when light passes through the prism then we see the rainbow, when it passes through the glass then we can see a rainbow but only when we see it from a certain angle. The change in the medium causes the arched.
2006-11-02 08:32:59 · answer #4 · answered by dreams_poss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rainbow’s a reflection of light through water i.e. rain, however light is split into different colours depending on how fast that colour travels, the raindrops in essence act as a prism. The entire universe is one big spectrum, everything’s connected, only some things are less dense and travel faster than others. Anyhow God makes it happen, don’t ask questions, worship the bible instead!
2006-11-02 06:07:56 · answer #5 · answered by wartorious 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A rainbow is actually circular and high up in the earths atmosphere, it is because of the earths curvature we can not see it all thus creating an arch. (it is always in front or behind you because you are either looking at it or you are facing away from it.
Remember, happy little elves like rainbows, and so does Arkvoodle.
2006-11-02 06:08:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It will always be in front of you as a rainbow is light waves being refracted through rain or mist droplets. Your eyes see the light source and the following refraction as colours. Think of it as an optical illusion.
2006-11-02 06:09:10 · answer #7 · answered by jaywball 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the light should pass through the water and if the sun is on east or west only the light can pass through the water. if the sun is above our heads we can not see the rainbow and half of the circular is visible.
2006-11-02 06:11:28 · answer #8 · answered by Bharathi 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's due to the prisms formed by rain drops in the air.
it's natures visual trick.
2006-11-02 06:03:33 · answer #9 · answered by Heather 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They aren't always, check this pic out !!
2006-11-02 06:12:22 · answer #10 · answered by Dragon Empress 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋