Question
Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain.
Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?
1. Dispersion
2. Refraction
3. Internal reflection
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:
D
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Explanation:
All three phenomenon combined are responsible for the formation of rainbow.
Dispersion: When sunlight passes through a raindrop, the light gets dispersed or separated into its component colors due to the different wavelengths of light. This dispersion occurs because different colors of light bend or refract at different angles as they pass through the water droplet.
Refraction: Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. When sunlight enters a raindrop, it undergoes refraction, bending as it moves from the air to the denser water medium of the raindrop. This bending of light helps in separating the different colors of light.
Internal Reflection: Once the light is refracted and dispersed inside the raindrop, it undergoes multiple internal reflections inside the droplet before finally exiting. This internal reflection occurs when the light rays hit the inner surface of the droplet and bounce back internally. These internal reflections contribute to the formation of the circular shape of the rainbow.