A rainbow is a multicolored arc made by light striking water droplets. The most familiar type rainbow is produced when sunlight strikes raindrops in front of a viewer at a precise angle (42 degrees). Rainbows can also be viewed around fog, sea spray, or waterfalls.

What causes multiple rainbows?

Multiple rainbows—a rarity

The common rainbow is caused by sunlight internally reflected by the backs of falling raindrops, while also being refracted at the air/water boundary. ... That accounts for the three rainbows in the sky, and the other three are reflections of the rainbows in the sky on the lake's surface.

How is a rainbow formed simple explanation?

Rainbows are formed when light from the sun is scattered by water droplets (e.g. raindrops or fog) through a process called refraction. Refraction occurs when the light from the sun changes direction when passing through a medium denser than air, such as a raindrop.