Rainbows are a beautiful natural phenomenon that occurs when sunlight passes through water droplets in the air. This process, known as refraction, causes the light to bend and separate into different colors. The light then reflects off the inside surface of the droplet and refracts again as it exits. This splitting of light creates the familiar arc of colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Each color appears at a different angle due to the varying wavelengths of light, making the rainbow visible in the sky, usually after rain when sunlight emerges.

Why We See a Rainbow

A rainbow is not a physical object but an optical illusion that depends on the viewer's position relative to the sun and raindrops. This means that no two people see exactly the same rainbow. The best time to see a rainbow is when the sun is low in the sky, such as in the early morning or late afternoon. Sometimes, under perfect conditions, a secondary rainbow appears above the first one, known as a double rainbow. This happens when light reflects twice inside the raindrops, creating a fainter, reversed-color arc. While rainbows are most commonly seen after a storm, they can also be observed near waterfalls or fountains where water droplets are present. Shutdown123