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Why the colors of Secondary rainbow is reverse of that in the color in the Primary rainbow?

What can be the possible reason among the following options

  • Because it is formed by one internal reflection.
  • Because it is formed by two internal reflections.
  • Because it is formed by refraction and one internal reflection.
  • Because it is formed by refraction, dispersion and one internal reflection.
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The Wikipedia article on Rainbows offers a number of supporting images, but to my surprise does not offer either an explanation or an image to support one. – dmckee♦ Dec 8 '12 at 18:50

1 Answer

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When a primary rainbow is formed, it is due to one total reflection in water droplets. A secondary rainbow is formed by light that underwent two internal reflections, and that is what changes the ordering of the colours. You can also have a tertiary rainbow formed by three internal reflections that would have the same ordering as primary and so on.

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