Sometimes you can see the 'rainbow' in a thin layer of oil on the ground. Explain why this happens. The rainbow pattern is formed due to thin film interference at the front and back surfaces of the oil. The rainbow pattern is due to the properties of reflection of the oil, which disperse light. The rainbow pattern is due to the water vapor sitting on the oil and acting like the water droplets in the sky. The rainbow pattern is due to refraction between the air and oil. The rainbow pattern is due to the molecular structure of the oil, which absorbs white light and re-emits the rainbow pattern. The rainbow pattern is only visible during hot, humid days. The rainbow pattern is visible only in desert-like conditions.

Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
10th Edition
ISBN:9781337553292
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter37: Diffraction Patterns And Polarization
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 15P: Impressionist painter Georges Seurat created paintings with an enormous number of dots of pure...
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Sometimes you can see the 'rainbow' in a thin layer of oil on the ground. Explain why this happens.

   

The rainbow pattern is formed due to thin film interference at the front and back surfaces of the oil.

   

The rainbow pattern is due to the properties of reflection of the oil, which disperse light.

   

The rainbow pattern is due to the water vapor sitting on the oil and acting like the water droplets in the sky.

   

The rainbow pattern is due to refraction between the air and oil.

   

The rainbow pattern is due to the molecular structure of the oil, which absorbs white light and re-emits the rainbow pattern.

   

The rainbow pattern is only visible during hot, humid days.

   

The rainbow pattern is visible only in desert-like conditions.

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