Why Does Oil on Water Create Rainbow Colors?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sckeen1988
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Film Oil Water
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of rainbow colors created by an oil slick on water, specifically analyzing the minimum thickness of the oil layer required for constructive interference. The scientist measures a wavelength of 750 nanometers in air, with the index of refraction for water at 1.33 and for oil at 1.20. To achieve constructive interference, the path difference must equal an integer multiple of the wavelength adjusted for the refractive indices. The minimum thickness can be calculated using the formula t = (m * λ) / (2 * (n_oil - n_water)), where m is the order of interference.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave interference principles
  • Knowledge of refractive indices and their implications
  • Familiarity with the concept of wavelength in different media
  • Basic skills in using spectrometers for wavelength measurement
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of constructive and destructive interference in optics
  • Learn about the calculation of minimum thickness for thin films in optics
  • Explore the effects of varying indices of refraction on light behavior
  • Study the applications of spectrometry in analyzing light properties
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, optical engineers, and students studying wave optics, particularly those interested in the behavior of light in different media and the principles of interference.

sckeen1988
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
A scientist notices that an oil slick floating on water when viewed from above has many different rainbow colors reflecting off of the surface. She aims a spectrometer at a particular spot, and measures the wavelength to be 750 nanometers (in air). The index of refraction of water is 1.33

The index of refraction of the oil is 1.20. What is the minimum thickness t of the oil slick at that spot?

I've thought about this for a little while and can't really think of how to get started. Really just looking for either a starting equation or an idea on how to approach the problem if anyone has any suggestions.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since the index of refraction of oil is less than water in this case, what must the path difference be for constructive interference?
 

Similar threads

Thin film interference on water
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Exploring the Refractive Properties of an Oil Slick
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
Solving Thin Film Problem: Find Longest Wavelength Transmitted to Diver
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
Index of refraction and oil/water
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
38K
Constructive/Destructive Interference in a Thin Oil Film
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why Does Thin Film Oil Show Different Colors When Illuminated?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
8K
Oil & Water Film: Min Thickness of 313nm
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Thin-film interference: transmission & reflection of colors
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Constructive interferance homework (concept) help
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Solving Thin Films Interference Problem with Oil and Water | 360nm Thickness
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K