What's it called?

Question

What is the name given to the light spectrum you see on CDs (that looks like a rainbow)?

Also, what else makes this kind of effect (beside the obvious: rainbows and prisms)?

This isn't a question I've been asked to find out the answer of so I don't need the scientific explanations - but please can you tell me what other objects give this effect?

Answer 1

Your other answers forgot to mention that a CD is not just a smooth aluminium disc but has the patterns needed to make the recording burned on it which causes different parts of the spectrum to be reflected according to their wavelength. Butterflies wings and even the feathers of some common birds such as magpies show a similar phenomenon caused by the interaction of the light wavelengths with microscopic patterns on the surface.

Answer 2

Doug is right. They are probably asking what phenomena causes you to see a rainbow. It has an interesting quantum mechanical explanation (doesn't everything).

Update: Regarding other sources besides prisms and diffraction gratings (which create diffraction patterns), a thin film of oil on water creates a rainbow of colors due to tiny variations in the thickness of the oil layer tuning to reflect specific wavelengths of light.

Answer 3

The electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 4

Measured from the "asscending" light wave...ROYGBIV (Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet).

Answer 5

As stated above, this is part of the electromagnetic spetrum, but is actully only a very small part of it known as 'visible light'.

Answer 6

Diffraction.


Doug

Answer 7

electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 8

electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 9

VIBGYOR