The Bedtime Scientist

Episode guide

Rainbows: Where Colors Wait

White light carries every color everywhere it goes; rain just lets them show. This episode bends a sunbeam and sorts the sky.

The science, gently

  • A rainbow appears when sunlight bends and reflects inside millions of falling raindrops.
  • The colors always keep the same order, red on the outside, violet within.
  • No two people see exactly the same rainbow; yours is made of light aimed at your eyes alone.

Wonder together

  • Where were you when you saw your best rainbow?
  • If every raindrop bends light, why is the sky not always rainbowed?
  • What color would you add to the seven?

Tonight's calm-down

All the colors are still in the dark of your room, waiting inside the light for morning. Nothing is missing, only resting. You can rest where the colors do.