Why do we see like a whole bunch of colors on a lake or in a puddle when there is oil present? Could someone explain to me cuz I am having trouble understanding it....
THANK YOU
2007-03-11 06:12:18 · 4 answers · asked by Blue Jay Z 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
When it is on a lake or a puddle of water, oil moves on the surface. It refracts the incoming light (just as a prism would). As it moves, the colors seems to swirl around.
2007-03-11 06:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a very difficult question to answer in few words without math, without a sketch because it involves a lot of concepts.
You should make a research with google or yahoo by typing the words
interference in a thin layer
there are two situation described, the soap bubble and the oil layer on water.
Good luck
P.A
2007-03-12 03:18:02 · answer #2 · answered by pieall2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the oil forms a very thin film on top of water, of the order of 0.4µm to 0.7µm, these thicknesses corresponds to the wavelengths of light and any small variation within this range will appear as a different colour.
2007-03-11 06:28:49 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same sort of phenomenon occurs when light goes through a prism. Different wavelengths of the "compound sun light" are diffracted by different amounts and the light components appear separated to the eye.
2007-03-11 06:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by physicist 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋