Question

Thin films like soap bubbles and oil floating on water can create colorful patterns.
Which of the following explanations most accurately describes why this happens?

• A. Thin films contain many different colored chemicals
• B. Thin films diffract and refract light so that it sets up interference patterns
• C. Thin films provide reflection from the front and back surfaces, and this creates interference patterns
• D. Thin films polarize light which interferes with the unpolarized light to create colors
• E. Thin films absorb some colors and allow others to reflect

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Thin films provide reflection from the front and back surfaces, and this creates interference patterns

The reason of colourful patterns on soap bubbles and oil on water is interference.

Infact, the reflected waves from upper and lower surfaces, get interference and produce colourful patterns.