Question

Rainbow is formed due to:

• A. Scattering & refraction
• B. Total internal reflection & dispersion
• C. Reflection only
• D. Diffraction and dispersion

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Total internal reflection & dispersion

Answer 2

Light rays undergo refraction as they enter a water droplet, leading to total internal reflection and subsequent dispersion, which results in the display of colors.
Dispersion of light refers to its separation into different colors, while total internal reflection occurs when a light ray travels from a denser to a rarer medium and strikes the surface at a critical angle, causing it to reflect back into the original medium. This phenomenon is responsible for the appearance of both total internal reflection and the dispersion of colors in a rainbow.

So, the correct option is (B): Total internal reflection & dispersion