What term refers to the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in raindrops that forms a rainbow?

The process that forms a rainbow involves multiple interactions between light and raindrops, primarily refraction and dispersion. When light enters a raindrop, it slows down and bends—a phenomenon known as refraction. This bending causes the light to spread out into its constituent colors, resulting in a spectrum. Dispersion specifically refers to this separation of light into different colors due to varying wavelengths.

Scattering can play a role in different atmospheric processes, but it is not the primary mechanism responsible for the formation of a rainbow. It refers to the diffusion of light in different directions and does not directly describe the bending and separation of light that occurs in raindrops to create the rainbow effect.

Thus, the correct term for the process that encompasses the bending, separation, and coloring of light as it passes through raindrops is more accurately described by dispersion or refraction rather than simply scattering.