A time of celebration and recognition, Pride Month is honoured every June across the globe. One of the most iconic symbols of the LGBTQ+ community and one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena is the rainbow. This captivating display of colour is a fascinating snapshot of the physical properties of light.
For a rainbow to form, there are two key physical elements: sunlight and water droplets. While it may appear white to the naked eye, sunlight is composed of a mixture of various colours which all have different wavelengths. When this sunlight passes from the air to a raindrop, it undergoes a process called refraction. The air has a lesser density than water, so when light enters the droplet at an angle it slows and changes direction. The different wavelengths within the sunlight slow at different rates and split. Light of longer wavelengths, such as red, will be refracted at a smaller angle compared to those of shorter wavelengths, like blue and violet. Provided the angle at which the light entered the droplet is approximately 42 degrees, the light will be reflected within the droplet, causing it to undergo refraction again which exiting back into the air. This disperses the light into red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo and violet: the colours of the rainbow.
For a rainbow to be observed, the sun must be low in the sky and behind the viewer, with the water droplets in front of the viewer. While the size of droplets does not necessarily dictate the form of the rainbow, smaller droplets associated with fog and mist tend to disperse the colours more. While from the ground rainbows appear to be semi-circular, they actually form in full circles (it is possible to see circular rainbows from aircraft!).
For many, the rainbow represents hope. The rainbow flag synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community was first created by Gay artist and activist Gilbert Baker in 1978, with an altered version of this flag used to this day across the globe as a symbol of visibility and love. The usage of the rainbow flag serves as a reminder of the power held within our differences and the strength that comes from embracing this diversity.
Find out more about networks for students and staff by visiting PrideSoc or the Staff Pride Network.
Related Links:
https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-rainbow-flag-become-a-symbol-of-lgbt-pride
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/rainbow/
“Double Rainbow over Edinburgh” by Katore is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
