Rainbow Optics

Authors

  • Fulvio Andres Callegari
  • Agnaldo Aparecido Freschi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55767/2451.6007.v29.n1.17147

Keywords:

Chromatic dispersion, Rainbows, Ray optics

Abstract

The fundamental and well known characteristics of rainbows are explained using Snell’s law of refraction and simple geometric considerations involving interaction between white light in the form of rays and a raindrop of water. The sequence of colors and the form of the arc were derived. Also, considerations are presented about the size of the arc and the formation of the secondary arc.

References

Casini, G. y Covello, A. (2012). The “rainbow” in the drop. American Journal of Physics. 80(11), pp. 1027-1034.

Hecht, E. (2002). Optics. USA: Pearson.

Mobbs, S. D. (1979). Theory of the Rainbow. Journal of Optical Society of America. 69(8), pp. 1089-1092.

Nussenzveig, H. M. (1969). High Frequency Scattering by a Transparent Sphere. II. Theory of the Rain-bow and the Glory. Journal of Mathematical Physics 10, pp. 125-176.

Serway, R. y Jewett, J. (2014). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with modern Physics. Boston: Brooks/Cole.

Walker, J. D. (1976). Multiple rainbows from single drops of water and other liquids. American Journal of Physics 44(5), pp. 421-433.

Young, H. y Freedman, R. (2016). Sears & Zemansky´s University Physics with modern Physics. USA: Pearson.

Published

2017-06-13

How to Cite

Callegari, F. A., & Freschi, A. A. (2017). Rainbow Optics. Journal of Physics Teaching, 29(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.55767/2451.6007.v29.n1.17147

Issue

Section

Essays and Special Topics