Film interference with light and refration

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the phenomenon of light interference in soap films, specifically regarding the thickness of the film that produces specific colors. The colors observed include blue (430 nm), green (500 nm), red (650 nm), and the index of refraction for the soap film is noted as n = 1.3. To determine the thickness of the film for yellow and cyan, participants reference the equation dsin(θ) = wavelength, emphasizing the need to understand the conditions under which colors appear as pure or mixed. The conversation highlights the relationship between film thickness and color perception in bubble films.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light interference principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of wavelength in nanometers
  • Knowledge of the index of refraction
  • Basic grasp of trigonometric functions related to angles
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate film thickness for various wavelengths using the equation dsin(θ) = wavelength
  • Explore the relationship between film thickness and color perception in soap bubbles
  • Investigate the effects of varying indices of refraction on light interference
  • Study the conditions that lead to pure color versus mixed color perception in thin films
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the science of light and color perception in thin films.

stickplot
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ok so i know why this happens but I am just not sure how to see how thick the film would be, I am not sure if your supposed to use the equation dsin(-)=wavelength someone help please thanks!

You are outside in the Sun blowing bubbles. As you raise the round wand to blow bubbles, you notice an array of colors on the soap film.

* Blue = 430 nanometers
* Green = 500 nanometers
* Red = 650 nanometers
* The bubble film has an index of refraction of n = 1.3.



a. How thick is the film where you see yellow?

b. How thick is the film where you see cyan?
 
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Do you think this question is talking about yellow and cyan as pure colours, or as mixtures of other colours that the human eye perceives as yellow and as cyan ?

Under what conditions would an area of bubble appear as a) as single pure colour b) a mixture of colours which we perceive as a single colour?
 

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