Build a Rainbow

We follow a collection of parallel rays -- let's make them horizontal -- of sunlight striking the drop at various heights. The drop has radius 1, so heights can range from -1 to 1. (From symmetry, the sign of the height doesn't matter.)

For each ray, we report the angle through which it was bent (the angle between the scattered ray and the incoming sunlight).



Follow rays through two reflections

Ray at height wavelength nm bent by 139.6 degrees
Ray at height wavelength nm bent by 140.8 degrees
Ray at height wavelength nm bent by 144.2 degrees
Ray at height wavelength nm
Ray at height wavelength nm


Next: Analysis of experiment
Return to Questions: Rainbows: Exploration
Return to: Outline