YOU WILL NEED
 • wide-mouthed, smooth, circular glass jar or large plain drinking glass filled with water
 • small mirror
 • flashlight

DID YOU KNOW?

The mirror reflects light that passes back through the water, traveling at an angle. The water refracts, or bends, the light. As light bends, it separates into the colors of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

Illustration by
David Bamundo

HERE’S HOW

1. Place the mirror inside the water-filled jar. Tilt the mirror slightly upward.

2. In a very dark room with white walls, shine the flashlight onto the mirror. A rainbow appears! (Hint: If no rainbow appears at first, just change the angle of light from the flashlight or change the angle of the mirror.)