Question

why does white light from the sun form a colorful rainbow when it passes through water droplets in the atmosphere?
a the droplets of water in the air have different densities
b different - sized water droplets refract white light at different angles
c the colors that make up white light refract at different angles
d white light diffracts when it encounters water

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Water droplets in the air have the same density (water's density is constant for droplets), so this is incorrect.
• Option B: The size of water droplets doesn't cause different refraction angles for rainbow formation; it's about the components of white light, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: White light is composed of different colors (wavelengths), and when passing through water droplets (during refraction), each color refracts at a slightly different angle. This is the principle of dispersion, which forms a rainbow. So this is correct.
• Option D: Rainbow formation is due to refraction (and internal reflection) of light, not diffraction. Diffraction is a different phenomenon (bending around obstacles), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. The colors that make up white light refract at different angles