Question

Rainbows are formed due to ________.

• A. only the refraction of light by raindrops
• B. refraction, total internal reflection and dispersion of light by raindrops
• C. reflection of light from rivers and ocean
• D. refraction andreflection of light by clouds

Answer 1

The correct option is B

refraction, total internal reflection and dispersion of light by raindrops

The water droplets in the atmosphere act like small prisms. Firstly, they refract and disperse the incident sunlight, then they reflect the sunlight internally and finally refract it again when it comes out of the raindrop.