Moderate

An oil film floating on water surface exhibits color pattern due to the phenomenon of:

Correct answer: C. Interference

  • A. Diffraction
  • B. Polarization
  • C. Interference
  • D. Surface tension

Explanation

The bright colors seen in an oil slick floating on water or in a sunlight, soap bubble are caused by interference. The brightest colors are those that interfere constructively. This interference is between the light reflected from different surfaces of a thin film; thus, the effect is known as thin-film interference.

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About Optics

Light is studied through reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization, linking ray behavior with its wave nature. Questions may involve mirrors, lenses, optical instruments, refractive index and image formation, while geometrical optics deals with rays and wave optics explains effects such as interference and diffraction.

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