2007-10-19 18:27:55 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
The rainbow is formed by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays as they fall on drops of rain which act as prism to produce the different colours.
The position of the sun,the rain drops and the observer count in producing the rainbow.The angle which the rain drop makes at the observer's eye is particularly important.
According to simple geometrical principles,the rain drops which lie at this angle and in a direction opposite to the sun, lie in the form of a full circle or part of it(arc).Even if there are enough raindrops to form a full circle,it will look like an arc as it is limited by the horizon.
If the observer is on a high mountain and the sun is near the horizon,he will be able to see the whole circle of rainbow.
So,rainbows are arc shaped due to a simple geometrical principle as explained above.
2007-10-19 20:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by Arasan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rainbow appears semi-circular to us because there is an angle of 42° from the top of the rainbow (red colour) to the observer. As this angle remains constant, our eyes will see a semi-circle rainbow in front of us. If we were in an aeroplane, we may be able to see a complete circle. And a rainbow would appear as an entire circle if the ground in front of us is not blocking us.
2007-10-19 19:06:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Semicircular Shape
2016-10-20 05:50:05 · answer #3 · answered by torralva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you answered your own question. It is a full circle but the eartth gets in the way. We see only a very small part of the rainbow. It is the angle of sight that gives us the circle. The sun shining on the water droplets bending the light and we only see the separated light at a certain angle and that angle will be in all directions as you look. Well I tried.
2016-03-13 09:42:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the atmospher round the earth is circular.
2007-10-20 04:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by ysaremian 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
just follow this link
u will find the answer here-
http://van.physics.uiuc.edu/qa/listing.php?id=2195
2007-10-19 18:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by neha s 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I dunno, lemme think... 'cause it's not square?
2007-10-19 18:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋