A rainbow is always formed in a direction opposite to that of the Sun because the water droplets in the atmosphere act as tiny prisms. These droplets refract and disperse sunlight, and the observer sees the rainbow where the dispersed light reaches their eyes. This occurs in the direction opposite to the Sun.
Why is a rainbow always formed in a direction opposite to that of the Sun, and how do water droplets contribute to this phenomenon?
Share
A rainbow is always formed in a direction opposite to the Sun due to the interaction of sunlight with water droplets in the atmosphere. When sunlight enters a raindrop, it undergoes internal reflection, dispersion, and then emerges as a spectrum of colors. The observed rainbow is a result of countless raindrops dispersing light collectively. The directionality stems from the specific geometry involved in the process; the sunlight enters the raindrop, reflects internally, and exits at an angle of around 42 degrees. This angle is consistent for all raindrops in a specific direction, creating the characteristic circular arc opposite the Sun.