Resources and Other Cool Information
Rainbows and other Misconceptions- http://www.huntel.net/rsweetland/science/misconceptions/lightShadowRainb.html
What causes a rainbow? http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0920900.html
Why do rainbows appear? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-rainbows-appear/
Questions about rainbows- http://www.deltatech.com/rv/rainbows.html
How to make a rainbow at home- http://opticalillusion.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/how-to-make-a-rainbow-at-home/
Lesson on rainbows and light for students- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/group-time-exploring-rainbows-and-light
Bill Nye
Bill Nye the Science Guy gives a great explanation of how white light works to create the colors that we see.
Light, Reflection and Refraction
The video below describes and demonstrates that light travels in straight lines but when its path is altered by an object it can be reflected or refracted. Simple descriptions of reflection and refraction are not only given, but demonstrated. Take a look to better understand reflection and refraction.
Can rainbows make a full-circle?
If you could get up high enough in the sky, then you'd see that some rainbows continue below the horizon. That's because when the sun and rain combine to make a rainbow, they really make a full-circle rainbow. We can't see all of the circle, because the horizon blocks it from our view. Pilots high in the sky do sometimes report seeing genuine full-circle rainbows.
If you could get up high enough in the sky, then you'd see that some rainbows continue below the horizon. That's because when the sun and rain combine to make a rainbow, they really make a full-circle rainbow. We can't see all of the circle, because the horizon blocks it from our view. Pilots high in the sky do sometimes report seeing genuine full-circle rainbows.
Can a rainbow appear during the night?
Yes, they're called moonbows! The nighttime rainbow is very rare and occurs only when the moon is bright enough and positioned properly with respect to falling rain to produce the beautiful effect.
Yes, they're called moonbows! The nighttime rainbow is very rare and occurs only when the moon is bright enough and positioned properly with respect to falling rain to produce the beautiful effect.