Here is a list of demonstrations that illustrate the physics that is responsible for phenomena like the rainbow. They are tailored for elementary school students or an audience with little or no physics background.
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Are You On The Same Wavelength?
Frequency and wavelength are two concepts that are vital in understanding why rainbows have seven colours. A rope and some simple diagrams illustrate these concepts very well.
Reflection Without a Mirror?
A simple apparatus shows the concept of reflection that is reminiscent of images seen from reflections off mirrors and still bodies of water.
Refracting Light?
Refraction, a phenomenon otherwise known as the bending of light can be shown using the same appratus as in the demonstration on reflection.
Paint a Rainbow Around The Room
This is probably the simplest set up, and everything you need is readily available in a standard classroom. Strangely, this has always been the one that gets the most 'wows' from the kids!
Making a Real Rainbow
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This is the real thing! This demo is much more convincing and satisfying than using glass beads and the like to represent the water droplets. The most important thing to obtain is a very bright light source. |
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Physics Is Not Dead!
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See some modern-day applications that utilize the knowledge learned from phenomena like the rainbow. |
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Back to Refraction or The Physics of Rainbows
