How do rainbows form?

[MichaelMansfield]

Hello,

I am interested in finding out a clear explanation for how rainbows form such as would be appropriate for the junior high level. Thanks for the help.

 

[whozum]

The tiny raindrops act like lenses up in the atmosphere and refract the light into all its colors similar to the way a prism would.

 

[moose]

http://mfile.akamai.com/7870/rm/mit...870/8/8.02/videolectures/wl-802-lec31-220k.rm
An MIT video physics lecture on rainbows. It's long, but worth it if you are interested enough.

Got this link from
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoLectures/index.htm