Question

In the formation of a rainbow light from the sun on water droplets undergoes [CBSE PMT 2000; Orissa JEE 2002; MP PET 2003; KCET 2004]
A) Dispersion only B) Only total internal reflection C) Dispersion and total internal reflection D) None of these

Answer 1

Ans is C) dispersion and total internal reflection

Answer 2

In the formation of a rainbow light from the sun on water droplets undergo both dispersion and total internal reflection.

• Rainbow creation requires a number of physical processes-reflection, refraction, dispersion and total internal reflection. Because of the interaction of light with air and water and the boundaries between them, each of these happens.
• A rainbow is a phenomena caused by the reflection, refraction, and light dispersion in water droplets resulting in the appearance of a spectrum of light in the sky. This is caused by the light being reflected twice before leaving on the inside of the droplet.