Book 7, Question 108 · Video
Why Can’t You Walk to the End of a Rainbow?
You can't walk to the end of a rainbow because a rainbow isn't a place. It depends on where you stand and where the Sun is. When you move, the rainbow seems to move with you.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can’t you walk to the end of a rainbow?
The Big Idea
You can't walk to the end of a rainbow because a rainbow isn't a place. It depends on where you stand. Its position depends on your viewpoint and on where the Sun is. When you walk toward it, the bow moves away!
Light, Not a Thing
Step one: a rainbow is made of light. A rainbow isn't an object sitting in the sky. It's sunlight bounced by millions of raindrops. You can't touch it, hold it, or reach it.
It Depends on You
Step two: the rainbow depends on you. The drops that send colors to your eyes depend on the angle from the Sun, through your head. A person standing somewhere else sees a different set of drops.
The Bow Moves
Step three: the bow moves when you move. When you walk forward, the angle stays about the same, so the rainbow appears to move away. That's why you can never reach the end.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a rainbow chase! You stand and see a rainbow. You walk toward it. Different raindrops now send colors to your eyes. So the bow shifts, and stays just as far away.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! There is no pot of gold, because there's no end to reach. A rainbow only exists when you are in the right spot to see it. A rainbow's colors come from drops of water falling from the sky. Never run across roads or dangerous places chasing a rainbow.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Let's test the chase, safely. Next time you see a rainbow, take a few slow steps toward it, on a safe path. Does it get closer, or does it move? Why do you think that is? Watch for cars, and stay with a grown-up.
Outro
The end of the rainbow can never be reached. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!