Colors of the Rainbow

1What Is a Rainbow?

A rainbow appears in the sky when sunlight shines through raindrops. The light bends inside each raindrop and splits into beautiful colors!

You can see rainbows after a rainstorm when the sun comes out. Sometimes you can even make your own rainbow with a garden hose on a sunny day.

2The Seven Colors

A rainbow has seven colors in a special order: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. Remember them with the name "Roy G. Biv"!

Red is at the top of the rainbow. Violet is at the bottom. Each color blends into the next — there are no sharp lines between them.

3Why Are There Colors?

White sunlight is actually made of all the colors mixed together! When light bends through water, the colors separate. This is called "dispersion."

Each color travels at a slightly different speed, so they bend by different amounts. Red bends the least, violet bends the most. That is why they line up in order!

★Explore

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