JOURNAL ARTICLE

Rainbows in Different Refractive Indices.

  • Published In: Physics Teacher, 2023, v. 61, n. 5. P. 351 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Zheng, Yuan; Shen, Kexun; Wang, Xianghe; Yao, Xing-Xing 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the experimental investigation of how the refractive index influences the viewing angles of primary and secondary rainbows, a natural optical phenomenon formed by sunlight dispersion through water droplets. Using spherical lenses made from different materials and immersed in caster sugar solutions of varying concentrations, the study adjusts the relative refractive index to simulate natural rainbow conditions. The experiments demonstrate that as the relative refractive index changes, the viewing angles of the rainbows evolve accordingly, with values near 1.33 producing angles close to those observed in nature. The work provides a clear illustration of the relationship between refractive index and rainbow geometry through controlled laboratory setups.

Additional Information

  • Source:Physics Teacher. 2023/05, Vol. 61, Issue 5, p351
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0031-921X
  • DOI:10.1119/5.0086915
  • Accession Number:164009866
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