Rainbows are the result of refraction and reflection of light by water droplets. White light enters the water droplet and is refracted, and then is reflected off the back of the droplet. Before leaving the drop the light is split into several different colors, or again refracted. This is how a single rainbow is formed.
A second rainbow is produced when there is an extra reflection of light in the water droplet. Some light is always lost in the droplet, and therefore the second rainbow will be lighter than the first.
The reason that a rainbow is circular is because it is the only shape that will reflect back to your eyes at 42o (53o for a secondary rainbow). No two people see the same rainbow. The rainbows shape and position in the sky all depends on the viewers location and the angle of the sun.
A second rainbow is produced when there is an extra reflection of light in the water droplet. Some light is always lost in the droplet, and therefore the second rainbow will be lighter than the first.
The reason that a rainbow is circular is because it is the only shape that will reflect back to your eyes at 42o (53o for a secondary rainbow). No two people see the same rainbow. The rainbows shape and position in the sky all depends on the viewers location and the angle of the sun.
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