In a thin film interference pattern, what happens to the colors observed as the
Practice Questions
Q1
In a thin film interference pattern, what happens to the colors observed as the angle of incidence increases?
Colors become more vivid
Colors disappear
Colors shift
Colors remain unchanged
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In a thin film interference pattern, what happens to the colors observed as the angle of incidence increases?
Step 1: Understand that thin film interference occurs when light reflects off the top and bottom surfaces of a thin film, like soap or oil.
Step 2: Know that different colors of light correspond to different wavelengths.
Step 3: Realize that when light hits the film at an angle, the path that light travels changes.
Step 4: As the angle of incidence (the angle at which light hits the film) increases, the distance the light travels inside the film changes.
Step 5: This change in distance creates a different 'path difference' between the light reflecting off the top and bottom surfaces.
Step 6: The change in path difference affects which colors interfere constructively (combine to be brighter) and which interfere destructively (cancel each other out).
Step 7: As a result, you will see a shift in the colors that are visible as the angle of incidence increases.
