Concept explainers
To determine: The reason for a secondary rainbow is dimmer than a primary bow.
Answer:
A secondary rainbow is dimmer than a primary bow due to an extra reflection of light rays in the formation of the secondary bow.
Explanation:
When light is dispersed and reflected by water droplets, a rainbow is formed. A rainbow consists of a primary and secondary bow.
A secondary rainbow is observed just above the primary rainbow on rainy days. A primary rainbow is formed when a water droplet refracts the sunlight twice and reflects it for a single time. The secondary rainbow is produced when the refraction and reflection of light take place twice.
Thus, the formation of a secondary rainbow is caused by one extra reflection than that in primary rainbow formation. Due to this extra reflection, the secondary rainbow appears dimmer than the primary.
Conclusion:
Therefore, a secondary rainbow is dimmer than a primary bow due to an extra reflection of light rays in the formation of the secondary bow.
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