Question

Rainbow is caused due to:

A) Reflection of sunlight by air molecules.
B) Dispersion of sunlight from water drops.
C) Refraction of sunlight from water drops.
D) Refraction of sun rays by air molecules.

Answer 1

Rainbows are caused by a combination of refraction and reflection. When sunlight enters a drop of water, it is refracted and reflected, resulting in the dispersion of light and the observation of a rainbow.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rainbows are caused by a combination of refraction and reflection. When sunlight enters a drop of water, it is refracted as it enters and leaves the drop, and it is also reflected from the back of the drop. Since the index of refraction of water varies with wavelength, the light is dispersed, resulting in a rainbow of colors being observed. The actual colors seen in a rainbow depend on the rays being refracted and reflected towards the observer's eyes from multiple drops of water.