Rainbow sticks are used as a model to show sunlight reflects and then refracts to make the colors and shape of the rainbow.
Watch the ten minute tutorial CD to see Paul Hewitt teach this lesson.Screw the colored rods into the color coded holes.Show that light enters the rain drop and reflects once before it refracts 40 deg for violet and 42 deg for red.Look along the colored rod and point out that the light (represent by the white rod) actually comes from behind you.With the white rod pointing where the sun is presumed to be have the rainbow sticks swing an arc for the characteristic rainbow shape.Point out that no two people see the same rainbow.
blue ball with three holes (red, white & violet)red rodviolet rodwhite rodRainbow Sticks Tutorial CD (Hewitt)