Variability in size of raindrops The Mie algorithm assumes scattering from a single sphere, but a rainbow
involves scattering from millions of raindrops. In practice, raindrops
are not of uniform size. MiePlot simulates the effect of size dispersion
by performing N calculations for sizes described by Normal or Log-Normal
statistical distributions. Fig. 5 shows that even very small variations
in the size of the drops (e.g. a standard deviation of 0.1%) can have a
considerable effect.
Scattering angle (degrees)
Scattering angle (degrees)
Fig. 5 Intensity v. scattering angle for red
light (0.65 µm wavelength) by a water drop of nominal radius 100
µm for perpendicular polarisation
