Understanding Rainbows [Springboard]

PHYZ

This is part of the classroom curriculum I developed for use with my high school physics students.

SPRINGBOARD

The instructor guides students through this activity via classroom discussion. The activity is a springboard for that discussion. This is not intended as a homework or independent activity.

UNDERSTANDING RAINBOWS

Second only to "Why the Sky is Blue" in ambition, I would rank this as one of the best lessons I have authored. With rainbows, the physics is relatively simple (once you've covered refraction and dispersion) and the geometry is simple. Putting them together? Well, this is a four-page lesson. (And the "extras" in the presentation are amusing rewards. The "Double Rainbow" video has mostly faded from cultural awareness among students, so it's new to them!)

Includes

Student document (print-friendly Google Docs file on Google Drive)

Instructional presentation (link embedded in answer key)

Answer key