Chapter 18, Problem 84A

To determine

To explain: The reason due to which one cannot see a rainbow in the southern sky if the person is in the northern hemisphere. Also, the direction one should look from the southern hemisphere to see the rainbows in the late afternoon.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Rainbow is a spectrum of visible light looks in the sky and is forming due to the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light rays from water droplets in Earth’s atmosphere. The rainbow that is formed by the sunlight comprises seven colors and appears in the sky in exactly opposite direction from the sun.

If the sunlight is coming from behind the person makes an angle smaller than $42°$ with the horizon, then the person in the southern hemisphere can be able to see a rainbow. Sun is never behind the person at an angle of $42°$ or less than $42°$ while looking towards the southern hemisphere from the northern hemisphere. Hence,a person cannot see a rainbow in the southern sky if the person is in the north hemisphere