Family Science Experiment: The Easiest Way to Create a Rainbow

My five year old declared he knew how to make a rainbow out of science but he could not remember how. We did an experiment with family science lessons to discover the easiest way to create a rainbow at home.

What is a Rainbow?

In preparation for our home science experiment I wanted to teach my preschooler the science behind rainbows.

I began by asking my five year old if he knew what a rainbow was and he said yes. After thinking for a bit he responded that a rainbow was a drop of rain and immediately asked that was correct. I am proud that my child attempted a scientific answer instead of describing the order of the colors in a rainbow.

After some research we discovered that a typical raindrop's shape is symmetrical and creates a rainbow ray. When we see a rainbow the sun will always be behind us and the top of the rainbow will be in line with the sun. The light from the sun is refracted and reflected off of the raindrops to create a rainbow.

Typically we see seven colors in a rainbow but it is really a spectrum of colors including colors we cannot see. We see the colors of the rainbow in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

How to Create a Rainbow at Home

Our home science experiment was to attempt and find the easiest way to create a rainbow using methods found on Wikihow.com. Try this family science experiment and see what we determined was easiest way to create a rainbow at home.

Family Science Lesson: Use a CD and Light Source to Make a Rainbow

What you will need:
CD-ROM or DVD with a reflective surface
Source of Light
*Flashlight

*Needed for alternative method for creating rainbows using CDs.

Easiest way to Create a Rainbow Science Experiment Step One: Polish the CD-Rom

This method uses reflection of light to create a rainbow. Use a soft cloth to polish and clean the CD-Rom. This creates the reflective surface we will be using to reflect the light.

Easiest way to Create a Rainbow Science Experiment Step Two: Put the CD under the Light Source

Hold the CD or DVD and place it under the source of light. When the light reflects off the CD-Rom it creates a rainbow.

Interactive Method for Creating Rainnbows using a CD

Allow your child to control the rainbow's location and colors by holding and moving the CD under the light.

Alternative Method for Creating Rainbows using CDs

My preschooler wanted to incorporate a flashlight into this experiment. He pointed the flashlight at the CD to create a rainbow. When he moved the flashlight the rainbow changed in location and color.

Sources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Rainbow

http://eo.ucar.edu/rainbows/