Rainbows

What is a rainbow?

A rainbow is an arch of light exhibiting the range (spectrum) of colors in their order. A rainbow is caused by drops of water falling through the air. It is seen usually in the sky opposite to the sun at the close of a shower and also in the spray of wat erfalls.

When can you see rainbows?

Certain weather conditions have to present for a rainbow to be displayed. You need rain or shower and a certain amount of sunlight.

How is a rainbow formed?

A rainbow is formed when sunlight hits a collection of raindrops that bends or “refracts” light waves in such a way that it makes a bow of different coloured light.

What are the colours of a rainbow?

The colours of a rainbow are: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet

Try this Rainbow Experiment! Catching a Rainbow Indoors

Materials:

• clear glass or medium sized clear jar filled with water to the top,
• window sill
• bright sunlight
• white paper
• crayons or watercolor paints

1. Fill a glass or clear jar with water to the top.
2. Set glass/jar on window sill in bright sunlight.
3. Glass or jar should stick out over the ledge just a little bit.
4. Place a white piece of paper on the floor in front of the window (tape 2 or 3 pieces to form a poster size and obtain a bigger rainbow image).
5. A rainbow will be captured/reflected on the paper. This will greatly depend on how bright the sunlight is and the positioning of the glass jar, so move the jar side to side on the window sill to help the process until you see the rainbow reflected on the paper.
6. Quickly draw lines to capture the rainbow and children can paint directly on the paper in the floor as the rainbow is reflected there.

More Rainbow Fun Below!

1. How Stuff Works web site
2. Catch a rainbow
3. Rainbow crafts
4. ChildFun Family Web Site: rainbow crafts, games and activities
5. April showers and rainbows: art activities and science and math games