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Old 05-31-2007, 02:37 AM
K.K.
 
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Default If light traveled at the same speed in raindrops as it does in air, could rainbow still exist?


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Old 05-31-2007, 02:43 AM
wolfmankurd
 
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No there would be no refraction and so the light wouldn't split into a spectrum. Refraction occurs when the speed of the wave changes usually on changing medium (usually due to density).
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Old 05-31-2007, 04:00 AM
Bruce N
 
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The previous answer is technically correct; however, there is more to it than just plain old refraction. You see in a rainbow forms as a result of total internal reflection (TIR). This is when light enters an object such as a fiber optic or a raindrop, and instead of leaving the other side, it bounces off of the edges a couple of times. Then as it exits it refracts separating the spectrum of colors. That is also why each person sees a completely different rainbow, so the next time you see one with someone else, tell them that yours is better.
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