double rainbow experiment

Updated on - November 15, 2023

How to Create a Double Rainbow

From decorating your home to teaching a room full of students, Rainbow Symphony loves bringing rainbows and science into your daily life! We’re experts on rainbows, as well as all things, light and color so when you’re wondering how to create a double rainbow, we can help! If you’re ready to learn what a double rainbow is, how to make one that’s vibrant all the time, and where you can see them in nature, read on here for more information.

What is a Double Rainbow?

You may have thought there was only one kind of rainbow! In fact, there are actually 12 classifications of rainbow that are determined by which colors are visible in the arc. When it comes to double rainbows, these classifications still exist, but the way the rainbow itself is created is a bit different from a single arc rainbow.

A double rainbow is when two distinct arcs are formed. They have separate origin points and the second arc is a mirror image of the first with the colors reversed. The indigo hue will be on the outside, while the red shades will be on the inside of the arc! The second rainbow also tends to be slightly lighter and much larger than the original rainbow arc. There is always some distance between the two bands, and the space in between is called Alexander’s band.

How Are Double Rainbows Created?

A single arc rainbow is created when sunlight enters a raindrop, is refracted (broken up) into multiple colors, and reflected off the back of the drop and out again. What we end up seeing is a single rainbow arc made up of multiple colors.

In a double rainbow, the light is reflected back twice within the same drop. Instead of creating a triangular line of reflection in the raindrop, the light bounce off once more to make a square shape. The second rainbow generally appears about 10 degrees above the first rainbow. It’s not unusual to experience triple or even quadruple rainbows when the conditions are just right!

Where to See Rainbows in the Real World

You don’t have to know how to create a double rainbow to see them in the real world. Rainbows generally appear after a rain shower or thunderstorm, but you can also see them anywhere water and light mix. Next time you’re walking by some sprinklers or there’s a fine mist in the air, look around you to spot some colorful displays. If you’re looking for the perfect double rainbow, the best conditions to view them are at dusk after a heavy rain.

How to Create Your Own Double Rainbow with a Jar of Water

If you’re ready to learn how to create a double rainbow yourself, you’ll need to gather a few tools.

A Bright Light Source
A Clear Jar Full Of Water
A Dark Room

Your bright light source acts as the sun, your jar of water is the raindrop, and the dark room is the perfect canvas on which to paint your rainbow. It can be a little tricky to spot the rainbows on your first try, but keep at it and soon you’ll learn how to create a double rainbow easily.

Instructions:

Since rainbows are usually seen after rainstorms, when the light is behind you, you’ll need to set up your lamp or light bulb on a desk or table behind where you plan on placing your jar of water. Set your light as high as possible and sit below it with the jar of water. Hold the jar directly in front of you and slowly raise it above your head until you see a reflected spot inside it that looks like a rainbow. Keep raising the jar slowly until you see a second rainbow spot.

This experiment is perfect for kids of all ages and can really help a teacher illustrate how rainbows work!

How to Create a Double Rainbow with a Prism

For rainbows that last a little longer and don’t require you to stay still holding up a jar of water, try this experiment instead.

Glass Prism
Strong Sunlight
White Cardboard or Paper

Place the cardboard or paper in a space with lots of sunlight. Put the prism on the paper or in a place above it in the sunlight. Rotate and shift the prism around until you see rainbows projected on the paper! You don’t always need to use paper if the walls and floor in your room are already light colored.

How to Create More Double Rainbows with Rainbow Symphony

Rainbow Symphony loves bringing you rainbows so much, that we’ve made it super simple to decorate your space with them. Our suncatchers are actually made with a built in holographic prism that allows you to place them anywhere with strong sunlight to get rainbows bouncing everywhere anytime the sun is out!

Now that you know what a double rainbow is and how to create your own double rainbows, we want you to start experimenting! Want more details on twinned rainbows, what kinds of rainbows exist in space, and what a double rainbow is? Check out our Rainbow Infographic today to learn about the different kinds of rainbows!

OUR FRIENDS ARE CREATING RAINBOW MAGIC :)

@RAINBOWSYMPHONY

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Double Rainbows: What Causes This Rare Phenomenon?

Double rainbows are a spectacular natural display that captures the imagination and awe of anyone lucky enough to witness one. Unlike a single rainbow, a double rainbow features two arcs, one above the other, with the secondary arc displaying reversed colors. But what exactly causes a double rainbow ?

The Science Behind Double Rainbows

A double rainbow occurs due to the way sunlight interacts with raindrops in the atmosphere. Here’s how it works:

Primary Rainbow Formation : When sunlight enters a raindrop, it is refracted, or bent, at the surface. The light reflects off the inside of the droplet, and then it is refracted again as it exits. This process separates the light into its constituent colors, forming the primary rainbow that we see.
Secondary Rainbow Formation : In the case of a double rainbow, the sunlight undergoes an additional reflection inside the raindrop before it exits. This second reflection causes the light to emerge at a different angle, creating a secondary, fainter rainbow above the primary one. Due to the second reflection, the order of colors in the secondary rainbow is reversed—red appears on the inside and violet on the outside.
Visibility and Conditions : Double rainbows are most visible when the sun is low in the sky, such as in the early morning or late afternoon. Larger raindrops are also more likely to produce a clear and vivid secondary rainbow . The angle at which the observer sees the rainbow is crucial—generally, the sun needs to be behind the observer with rain in front.

Why are the colors of the secondary rainbow reversed?

The colors in the secondary rainbow are reversed because the light undergoes two reflections inside the raindrop, altering the order of the colors.

How common are double rainbows?

While not extremely rare, double rainbows are less common than single rainbows due to the specific conditions required for their formation.

Why is the secondary rainbow fainter?

The secondary rainbow is fainter because the additional reflection causes more light to be lost, reducing its intensity.

Can a triple rainbow occur?

Yes, but triple rainbows are very rare. They occur when the light reflects three times inside the raindrop, creating a third arc that is usually very faint.

What time of day is best for seeing a double rainbow?

The best time to see a double rainbow is early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is lower in the sky, enhancing the contrast and visibility of the arcs.

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Sunday, 11 July 2010

The science of double rainbows (omg, what does this mean), 8 comments:.

My wife and I saw a double, both bright, driving south on I75 South in the upper Lower Peninsula of Michigan at sunset. It was off to our left and as we drove south the double became tighter together. The bows moved towards us diagonally across the double lanes and the ends appeared out of the trees as entering the ground. The ends appeared directly in front of us at our hood (F150 Ford Extended Cab). The bows entered the cab and filled all around us. We looked at each other and the air was filled with rainbow sparkles like it was effervessing in the air suspended and on our faces and surfaces of the cab. BAD NEWS TO REPORT---THERE IS NO POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF, AT LEAST THIS BOW. The bad economy has nothing to do with it either because it was in 2005.

Dude is on some serious shrooms...

Marc: The Science of double rainbows fascinating info. where did you find the happy camper... I think that guy needs a rest...sounds like he was on happy rainbow pills (ecstasy pills) all night...he would just love everything and everyone. keep up the good work lleon

why does everyone or everything have to be drug related????? why cant dude just be normal and happy????? maybe your the one on drugs..... :) alot of people are intrigued by the way the world works with out being high!!! try it sometime

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