When the sun comes out and everything glimmers and is colorful, it reminds us of God’s promise that someday we will live in the ultimately beautiful, colorful heaven with Him. Use this Bible science experiment to show how both science and the Bible can help us to understand the beauty of the rainbow.
Bible Science: How Rainbows are Made
Applicable Scriptures
Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Bible Science Experiment Materials
– Table or floor space with exposure to sunlight
– Pan without deep sides, such as a fry pan
– Tap water
– Vegetable oil
– Eye dropper
Bible Science Experiment Steps
1. Fill the pan with water almost to the top.
2. While not putting it directly in the sun, put the pan near to a spot that is in the sun’s direct path.
3. Have children move their heads slowly around the sides of the pan until they reach the angle where the sun is beaming at them.
4. Have them stop right there, observing the water.
5. Put in an eyedropper of vegetable oil
6. Have them observe the colors that appear, moving toward the far side of the pan
7. Have them blow on the water next.
What happened when you added the oil? What happened when you blew on the
drop of oil?
Answer
The added oil should have made a rainbow appear moving toward the outside of the pan.
Blowing on the oil should have made the rainbow swirl and bend.
Bible Science Experiment Explanation
It is often said that oil and water don’t mix, which is true. But they work well together. Water will absorb the sun’s rays, but it won’t separate them for us if we
are merely staring into the water. Oil absorbs and then refracts or separates, and hence we can begin to see the colors. When blowing on the oil, the light rays have
to bend, and this creates more color with more movement.
Understanding God
In Genesis 9:13 God showed a rainbow as a symbol to Noah after the Great Flood. The rainbow symbolized His promise that He would always be with mankind.
When we see rainbows, we can let them serve as one of God’s reminders that He is with us, no matter what “storms” are going on in our lives.
In this experiment, it’s sort of like we’re the water, God is the oil. When we put the two together, we see a rainbow, which is a symbol of God’s love and presence. Without
God, we’re just clear and shallow and boring. With just one drop of God, we’re colorful and dimensional – and fun to play with.
Will you be trying this Bible science experiment with your students? Be sure to come back and share your results with our readers! And don’t forget to Become a Fan on Facebook, where you can connect with other fans, and discuss many more Bible science ideas and activities!
Leave a Reply