Both refraction and reflection are phenomena that involve a change in a wave's direction.
Rainbows are the result of the refraction and reflection of light. In fact, the center of a primary rainbow is the antisolar point, the imaginary point exactly opposite the sun. The sun or other source of light is usually behind the person seeing the rainbow. The appearance of a rainbow depends on where you're standing and where the sun (or other source of light) is shining. Rainbows can also be viewed around fog, sea spray, or waterfalls.Ī rainbow is an optical illusion-it does not actually exist in a specific spot in the sky.
The most familiar type rainbow is produced when sunlight strikes raindrops in front of a viewer at a precise angle (42 degrees).
A rainbow is a multicolored arc made by light striking water droplets.
