Why Do Rainbows Show a Set Order of Colors?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do rainbows show a set order of colors?

The Big Idea

Rainbows show a set order of colors because each color bends by a slightly different amount. Red bends least and violet bends most, so they leave the raindrop at slightly different angles. That lines up the colors from red on the outside to violet on the inside!

Colors Are Waves

Step one: colors are different waves. Red light has longer waves, and violet light has shorter waves. That small difference changes how they bend.

Bending Differently

Step two: each color bends differently. As light goes into a raindrop, violet bends the most and red bends the least. The colors fan out in the drop, like cards in a hand.

Sorted by Angle

Step three: the colors line up. Red leaves at the biggest angle, so it is on the outside edge of the bow. Violet is on the inside. This order never changes.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the order! Red is on the outside of the bow. Yellow and green sit in the middle. Then comes blue. And violet is on the inside edge.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The color order is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. People remember it with the name ROY G BIV. A second, fainter bow has the colors in reverse. Rainbows have no hard edges, so the colors blend smoothly.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Let's learn the order. Say the name Roy G Biv out loud. Each letter stands for a color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Draw a rainbow with crayons in the right order. Can you teach it to a friend?

Outro

Rainbow colors always line up the same way. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!