Why does a rainbow form an arc shape?

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In summary, rainbows have an arc shape due to light being refracted through raindrops in the atmosphere. It is not possible to see a full circular rainbow from the ground, but it can be seen from an aerial view. Double rainbows occur when light is reflected twice inside raindrops, and the colors can vary depending on different factors. Rainbows are not always the same colors and cannot be physically touched as they are an optical illusion.
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We all know as to why we see a rainbow. But why do we see it in a the form a circular arc. Why not a straight line or anything else?

I was reading one book and that gave some reason that eyes make the a particular angle at the light from the drops of water. We all know the first part that we see a rinbow only at a particular angle, but I didn't get an answer as to why it arcs??
 
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Thank you!
 

1. Why does a rainbow have an arc shape?

A rainbow has an arc shape because of the way light is bent or refracted when it passes through raindrops in the atmosphere. The light is dispersed into its different wavelengths, creating the familiar red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet colors. The angle at which the light is bent determines the arc shape of the rainbow.

2. Can you see a full circular rainbow?

No, it is not possible to see a full circular rainbow from the ground. This is because the horizon obstructs the view of the bottom half of the circle. However, from an aerial view, such as from an airplane, a circular rainbow can be seen.

3. Why do rainbows sometimes appear double?

A double rainbow occurs when light is reflected twice inside the raindrop, creating a secondary rainbow outside of the primary rainbow. The colors of the secondary rainbow appear in reverse order compared to the primary rainbow.

4. Are rainbows always the same colors?

The colors of a rainbow can vary depending on the size of the raindrops, the angle of the sunlight, and the observer's position. In some cases, rainbows can also appear in different colors, such as white, pink, or even multiple rainbows at once.

5. Can you touch a rainbow?

No, it is not possible to physically touch a rainbow. This is because a rainbow is an optical illusion created by light and water droplets. The rainbow appears to be where the light is refracted, but it is not an object that can be touched.

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