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supported by
the National Science Foundation
written by Frederick Wicklin published by the University of Minnesota
This is an activity designed to help students understand geometric properties of rainbows by analyzing the passage of light through a raindrop. It includes an interactive tool that simulates what happens when rays of sunlight strike a single water droplet. Users may adjust wavelength and height of up to 5 incoming rays and see the corresponding angles of outgoing rays. An accompanying problem set gives support to users as they analyze data collected with the simulation tool. **Note: Some background knowledge in calculus is required. Recommended for AP Physics courses.
This item is part of a collection of interactive geometry tools and applications.
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=8864">Wicklin, Frederick. Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, March 11, 1997.</a>
AIP Format
F. Wicklin, (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1995), WWW Document, (http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/).
AJP/PRST-PER
F. Wicklin, Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1995), <http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/>.
APA Format
Wicklin, F. (1997, March 11). Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from University of Minnesota: http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/
Chicago Format
Wicklin, Frederick. Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, March 11, 1997. http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/ (accessed 12 February 2026).
MLA Format
Wicklin, Frederick. Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1995. 11 Mar. 1997. National Science Foundation. 12 Feb. 2026 <http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Frederick Wicklin",
Title = {Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows},
Publisher = {University of Minnesota},
Volume = {2026},
Number = {12 February 2026},
Month = {March 11, 1997},
Year = {1995}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Frederick Wicklin %T Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows %D March 11, 1997 %I University of Minnesota %C Minneapolis %U http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/ %O text/html
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %A Wicklin, Frederick %D March 11, 1997 %T Circles of Light: The Mathematics of Rainbows %I University of Minnesota %V 2026 %N 12 February 2026 %8 March 11, 1997 %9 text/html %U http://geom.math.uiuc.edu/education/calc-init/rainbow/ Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in a shared folder. You must login to access shared folders. |
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