How Sunbeams Bend and Split to Create Rainbows

To create a rainbow

Chapter 1

The anatomy of a sunbeam

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 2

How to make your own rainbow

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 3

Extreme and rare rainbows of the world

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 4

The history and legends of the arc

View / Create

Answer

YOUR GOAL

Master of To create a rainbow

Ch 1 · The anatomy of a sunbeam

galleta Anatomy of a Sunbeam

Sunbeam bends, / colors split, / shining through the misty air!

galleta Your own personal rainbow

The magic angle of forty-two degrees

galleta Rainbows only appear at a specific angle relative to the observer.

Fun Fact

Rainbow shadows: You can never see your own shadow inside a rainbow because the center of the rainbow's circle is always the exact spot where your shadow's head is.

Water drops acting as tiny prisms

galleta Raindrops bend and bounce light to create a rainbow.

Quiz

From what vantage point can a person see a complete 360-degree circular rainbow?

Gossip

Which rainbow color is your absolute favorite?

Hidden Rainbow Ring

BETA

galleta Find the hidden circle in the sky to create a rainbow in this fun educational game.

galleta Water drops acting as tiny prisms

Quiz

What is the exact angle at which red light exits a raindrop to form a rainbow?

galleta The secret colors of white light

Quiz

Who proved in 1666 that white light is made of different colors using a glass prism?

galleta The magic angle of forty-two degrees

Quiz

What shape are raindrops actually when they fall through the air and create rainbows?

Quiz

Why can we usually only see a semi-circular arch instead of a full circular rainbow?

Quiz

What color of visible light bends the most when passing through a raindrop?

Quiz

Where must the sun be located in relation to you for you to see a rainbow in the sky?

Quiz

What scientific term describes the bending of light as it enters a water droplet?