Verified Solution Science The Human Eye and the Colourful World

Describe the formation of a rainbow.

2 views 1 helpful Updated Jul 2, 2026
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Answer

A rainbow is formed due to dispersion, refraction, and total internal reflection of sunlight by tiny water droplets present in the atmosphere after rainfall. When sunlight enters a water droplet, it first undergoes refraction and dispersion. Then, the colours undergo total internal reflection inside the droplet. Finally, as the light emerges from the droplet, it undergoes refraction again, separating into its constituent colours and forming a spectrum observed as an arc in the sky opposite to the Sun.

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