Best of Web Michael Guenther

This picture of an F-22 leaving behind a trail of rainbow colored water vapor, taken by Bernardo Malfitano, is my selection for the best of web assignment. Not only because of its aesthetically pleasing nature, showing contrast between the black silhouette and the rainbow colored vapor behind it, but also because it demonstrates some extreme physics provided by a jet. The F-22 is moving fast that a low pressure system forms around the fuselage which gets the air cold enough for water to condense. This water in turn refracts light in such a way that it looks like a rainbow. This water vapor also displays a turbulent flow directly behind the aircraft’s wings demonstrating some aerodynamic principles that allow the F-22 to maneuver as an air-to-air combat craft.

Here is the link to the website on which it was found, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1309709/Stunning-rainbow-pictured-trail-F-22-fighter-jet.html