Sweat on Screen, Interference or Refraction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the optical phenomena observed when sweat adheres to the screens of mobile devices or laptops. Participants explore whether the observed colors are due to interference or refraction of light, considering both the state of the screen (on or off) and the properties of light involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the colors seen are due to the refraction of light from the screen combined with reflection from external light sources.
  • Another participant proposes that if a thin film is present on the screen, the observed colors could be attributed to interference effects.
  • A later reply clarifies that colors seen when the display is off are due to reflection and interference, while colors seen with the display on are due to refraction at droplets that enlarge subpixels.
  • One participant requests further details on the mechanisms involved in these optical effects.
  • Another participant provides links to external resources for additional information on thin-film interference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the observed colors are primarily due to interference or refraction, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves assumptions about the presence of thin films and the specific conditions under which the observations are made, which are not fully resolved.

Biniamin Piash
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When we touch the screen of a mobile or laptop we can see some colors on the sweat adhered to the screen.Which property of light can explain it? Is it for interference or for refraction?
 
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I would think it would be the screen light refracting in addition to the outside light reflecting. Anyone else?
 
If there's a thin film on the screen, then it's interference.
 
Biniamin Piash said:
Is it for interference or for refraction?
Colors you see when the display is off are reflection and interference at a thin film. Colors you see with display on are refraction at droplets enlarging sub pixels.
 
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A.T. said:
Colors you see when the display is off are reflection and interference at a thin film. Colors you see with display on are refraction at droplets enlarging sub pixels.
Can you tell it in more details?
 

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