Question

When exposed to sunlight, thin films of oil on water often exhibit brilliant colours due to the phenomenon of

• A. the dispersion
• B. the interference
• C. the diffraction
• D. the angular acceleration

Answer 1

The correct option is B the interference

When exposed to sunlight, thin films of oil on water often exhibit brilliant colors due to the phenomenon of interference.
In the case of a thin oil film, a layer of oil sits atop a layer of
water. The oil may have an index of refraction near 1.5 and the water
has an index of 1.33. The materials
on either side of the oil film (air and water) both have refractive
indices that are less than the index of the film.