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Re: Rainbow interfernce ?



Does it mean that each rainbow is a source
of light able to interfere on the "screen," that
is of the far away sky and mountain?

My understanding of the rainbow is in conflict
with this interpretation. Rainbows redirect
solar rays toward me. Should my retina (or the
the film of the camera) be viewed as a screen
on which beams from two rainbows are able
to interfere? What makes these two beams
coherent enough to interfere?
Ludwik Kowalski

On Tuesday, Nov 4, 2003, at 10:54 US/Pacific, Emigh, David wrote:

Hi Ludwik,

If you look at the picture you will notice that the sky and mountains
between the two rainbows is darker then the sky to the left of the set.
This is the interference effect noted in the letter (purely partial
destructive interference).

David

-----Original Message-----
From: Ludwik Kowalski [mailto:kowalskil@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 4:41 PM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: Rainbow interfernce ?

The November issue of Physics Today has a
color photo (on page 10) of a double rainbow.
The short description states that "the effect of
interference is clearly visible in the photograph."
I am not able to recognize that interference
effect in the photo. Please help.
Ludwik Kowalski