Discuss in detail the formation of rainbows.

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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Discuss in detail the formation of rainbows.

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Step 1 Dispersion of light

Visible light have seven frequency bands that each corresponds to a different color.

The order of color is: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

The separation of visible light in seven is called dispersion of light.

The refraction of different color is different, because of this property of light dispersion occurs.

The speed of different color in refracting medium is different. Speed of red color is highest while speed of violet color is lowest.

Therefore, refractive index of the medium is lowest for red color and highest for violet color. As a result bending of violet color is maximum and that of red color is minimum.

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