You can make your own rainbow using a specially shaped piece of solid glass called a prism. White light shines onto one side of the prism and bends as it travels through the glass. When it comes out at the other side, the light has been refracted and separated into its different colors.
On a sunny day, you can also make a rainbow using a mirror.
You Will Need:
water- modeling clay
- a piece of white cardboard or thick paper
- a shallow tray
- a small mirror
Procedure:
Fill the tray with water to a depth of about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters). Place the tray by a window. Draw the curtains so that only a narrow shaft of sunlight enters the room.- Rest the mirror in the water at an angle, using modeling clay to make it stand up. Move the tray until the sunlight falls directly on the mirror.
- Move the card around between the tray and the window until you see a rainbow appear on it. You may have to move the mirror to get this just right.
Look around your house for ornaments made of solid glass. Can you see the different colors of the rainbow when you hold one of the ornaments in the sunlight? Be careful, as the ornament may be fragile.
