Science Secrets · Drawing 09 of 40
Where Did the Rainbow Come From?
Light and Sound
Sunlight contains many colours. Inside water droplets, light changes direction and separates into colours. Surprise: a rainbow appears!
Did you know?
To see this rainbow, the Sun is behind the observer.
Look together
Which colours would you choose for the rainbow’s bands?
An idea to try
After a shower, look for a rainbow with an adult without looking at the Sun. Explain where the Sun and rain are.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Refraction, internal reflection and dispersion in droplets explain the primary rainbow. The bands simplify a continuous spectrum; colouring choices remain free.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified scene and shapes. Models, imagined comparisons and enlargements do not preserve all real measurements.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Exploratorium: Lawn RainbowsSunlight contains many colours. Inside water droplets, light changes direction and separates into colours. Surprise: a rainbow appears!
Source review: 2026-10-12. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
