What is the physics behind this circular rainbow in the sky?

In summary, refraction is the bending of light as it passes through different mediums due to the change in speed of light. This occurs because each medium has a different index of refraction. The change in speed is caused by the change in density of the medium. The relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of refraction is described by Snell's Law. Some real-life examples of refraction include the bending of light in a glass of water, the formation of rainbows, and the use of lenses in glasses and cameras. It is also utilized in various optical instruments for magnification and focusing.
  • #1
D3mon
3
0
What physics phenomena is being demonstrated in this picture?

http://teachers.dadeschools.net/jkaelin/images/extra_credit2.jpg
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF, D3mon.
The most likely one is refraction of the light, but there would also be the actions of water that caused the ice formation, freezing of the water, etc..

Or is that something other than ice?
 
  • #3
Looks like a circular rainbow. What ever craft was used to take the picture (plane, space shuttle) had to be fairly high in the sky. All rainbows are circular when viewed from above.
 

1. What is refraction?

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. This bending occurs because the speed of light changes as it moves from one medium to another.

2. How does refraction occur?

Refraction occurs due to the change in speed of light when it moves from one medium to another. This change in speed causes the light to bend, as each medium has a different index of refraction, which is a measure of how much the speed of light changes in that medium.

3. What causes the change in speed of light during refraction?

The change in speed of light during refraction is caused by the change in the density of the medium. Light travels slower in denser mediums, such as water or glass, than in less dense mediums, such as air.

4. What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction?

The angle of incidence is the angle at which light enters a medium, while the angle of refraction is the angle at which it bends as it passes through the medium. The relationship between these two angles is described by Snell's Law, which states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speeds of light in the two mediums.

5. What are some real-life examples of refraction?

Refraction is a common phenomenon that occurs in our daily lives. Some examples include the bending of light as it passes through a glass of water, the formation of rainbows due to the refraction and dispersion of sunlight, and the use of lenses in glasses and cameras to change the direction of light. It is also utilized in various optical instruments, such as microscopes and telescopes, to magnify and focus light.

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