This rainbow projector that I used to watch when I was younger uses properties of reflection to create a rainbow that spans across a bedroom wall. The projector emits a rainbow of light from the top. This light is shone upon a convex mirror which enlarges the image (in this case projection) and also creates an arc shaped image. Convex mirrors magnify images and are often used for store security as they allow a person to see a wider range of objects as they gather light from an angle larger than concave or planer mirrors.
The rainbow image that is produced by this device is projected because the light source is placed slightly behind the mirror so that the angle of incidence is great. The angle of incidence equals the angle of refraction so the image is projected out of the device and onto a wall. The arc-shape of the rainbow is created because the mirror is convex so the different light rays intersect with the mirror at slightly different angles causing them to be reflected in the shape of both the mirror and a traditional rainbow.
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