Why is a rainbow curved? Kuya Kim answers

Rainbows are the multicolored arc we see in the sky that usually occurs after it rains.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, this is because of the angle at which raindrops reflect light from the sun.

A rainbow is usually formed when light hits water droplets.

“That is refracted ranging from 40 to 42 degrees. Because yung medium na ito is raindrop, parang name-make yung form so that’s why the rainbow is circular,” said Cebu Normal University Atmospheric Physics Laboratory head Karl Patrick Casas.

Moreover, a rainbow has seven colors.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

“This happens when white light enters into a medium and is refracted. Since light is composed of different wavelengths, magkakaiba ‘yung speed inside the medium. Magkakaiba din ‘yung mga direction nila so that’s why we see different colors,” the atmospheric physicist added.

To easily remember the colors of the rainbow, just remember the acronym ROY G BIV.

Many believe that a pot of gold can be found at the end of a rainbow.

However, he said, “Irish pot of gold, walang scientific evidence for that. Besides, wala namang dulo yung rainbow.”

Earlier, in Cabagan, Isabela, some residents said they found the end of a rainbow after its colors appeared in their garden.

“Tinawag ako ng anak ko na ‘Ma! May rainbow… sa lupa!’” Felisa Beltran Abiqui said.

But according to the expert, “Meron tayong nakitang rainbow light effect o dispersion of light.”

And the possible source of the colors was the aquarium, which can be seen just a few meters from where the rainbow was spotted.

“Yung part ng glass ng aquarium, ‘yun ‘yung nagccause na magdidisperse yung light into different colors,” he said. — Carby Basina/BAP, GMA Integrated News