Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this? 1. Dispersion 2. Refraction 3. Internal reflection Select the correct Solution using the codes given below.

QUESTION

Medium

Science & Technology

Prelims 2013

Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?

Select the correct Solution using the codes given below.

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Dispersion, Refraction and Internal reflection are all involved.

Phenomenon	Role in rainbow formation
Refraction	Sunlight bends when it enters the raindrop and again when it exits, changing direction at each air–water boundary.
Dispersion	Different wavelengths refract by slightly different angles, so the white light spreads into its constituent colours inside the drop.
Internal reflection	Part of the dispersed light reflects from the rear surface of the droplet and heads back toward the observer, making the coloured arc visible.

Thus, the combined effect of Refraction → Dispersion → Internal Reflection → Refraction in order produces the familiar rainbow spectrum.