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Which of the following phenomena of light are involved in the formation of a rainbow?
(a) Reflection, refraction and dispersion
(b) Refraction, dispersion and total internal reflection
(c) Refraction, dispersion and internal reflection
(d) Dispersion, scattering and total internal reflection
Answer
The diagram below shows the formation of a rainbow.
- White light enters the droplet and is dispersed as it is refracted.
- If the light falls at a critical angle (42°) it suffers total internal reflection
- It exits the raindrop after being refracted once again.
So, the correct answer is (c)
