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Question
When sunlight strikes oil on the surface of water, a variety of colors are observed. What is the best explanation for this observation?
Responses
A Oil reflects the light and the lens of our eyes break it into component colors.Oil reflects the light and the lens of our eyes break it into component colors.
B Oil has a very high index of refraction, trapping and reflecting the visible spectrum.Oil has a very high index of refraction, trapping and reflecting the visible spectrum.
C The components of white light are refracted at different angles due to their various wavelengths.The components of white light are refracted at different angles due to their various wavelengths.
D The visible spectra of white light travel at different speeds, reaching the oil separately so we see the component colors.

Answer 1

The best explanation for the observation of a variety of colors when sunlight strikes oil on the surface of water is:

C. The components of white light are refracted at different angles due to their various wavelengths.

This phenomenon is known as thin-film interference, which occurs when light waves reflect off the different surfaces of the oil film and interfere with each other, leading to the display of different colors based on the angle of viewing and the thickness of the oil layer.