2007-07-07 20:30:00 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
http://eo.ucar.edu/rainbows/
visit this site and you'll find the answer...
2007-07-07 20:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by simply 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rainbows are circular because the light is being reflected from inside a droplet of water which is sorta' round. If I remember correctly the angle is 40-42 degrees. Sometimes there is a 2nd, 3rd or 4th reflection from the droplets that will produce a double, triple or quadruple rainbow. Occasionally you can see an inverted rainbow (the arc goes up) and the red arc will be on the inside rather than on the outside as in a rainbow that arcs down. Rainbows seen in a valley from a mountain or rainbows observed from an airplane may be complete circles. A person standing beside you will see a different rainbow than you and someone standing a few feet away may not be able to see the rainbow. Rainbows are more often seen and more vivid near sunrise and sunset. As the sun gets higher in the sky the light reflected from the drops is outside our viewing angle. Sometimes you can see the reflection of a rainbow in a lake and you cannot see the rainbow because you are at the wrong viewing angle.
2007-07-07 20:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by wry humor 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
for the reason which you're seeing a primary rainbow at a relentless attitude (ca. 42deg) from the sunlight and a raindrop. in case you have been extreme adequate up in the air, you may even see an entire circle, yet you in basic terms see the arc in the sky because of the fact there are no raindrops on the floor. the better the sunlight in the sky, the fewer of an arc you notice, and vice versa.
2016-10-20 06:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rainbows are semi circle because the Earh is round. The rainbow
follows a path from one horizon to the other. = 1/2 circle.
2007-07-07 20:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by nexteltom17 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
rainbow is a semi circle because of their "Wavelength".
Visible light is one way energy uses to get around. Light waves are the result of vibrations of electric and magnetic fields, and are thus a form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation.
Light waves have wavelengths between about 400 and 700 nanometers (4,000 and 7,000 Å). Our eyes perceive different wavelengths of light as the rainbow hues of colors. Red light has relatively LONG WAVES, around 700 nm (10-9 meters) long. Blue and purple light have SHORT waves, around 400 nm. Shorter waves vibrate at higher frequencies and have higher energies. Red light has a frequency around 430 terahertz, while blue's fequency is closer to 750 terahertz.
And that's the reason why is the rainbow a semicircle
2007-07-07 22:50:40 · answer #5 · answered by Ojo 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
seen from high enough each rainbow is a full circle
2007-07-08 06:54:43 · answer #6 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rainbows are round but the ground prevents you from seeing the full rainbow unless you are high above it.
2007-07-07 20:58:09 · answer #7 · answered by Northstar 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The artist ran out of paint before he could do a whole circle
2007-07-08 05:43:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rainbows are circular. From an airplane or mountain summit this is apparent.
2007-07-08 02:53:56 · answer #9 · answered by tarh okon d 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
rainbow is always full circled but we can see only half if it
2007-07-07 23:07:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋