soap bubble shows strong colors due to interference of the light that reflects from the inner and outer boundaries of the thin soap and water film. Light striking the outer surface has a phase change on reflection of . That means that its phase is flipped when it goes from air to the water surface and back out. Light reflecting from the inner surface, where it is in water then comes to the boundary with air, does not change its phase. Suppose you see white light reflecting from a bubble as it increases its size. The film making the bubble gets thinner and thinner and the colors reflecting from it change. The bubble glows in colors that differ with the thickness of the soap film. As it gets even thinner, what will you see at the place in the film that will soon burst?

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ISBN:9781305952300
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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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A soap bubble shows strong colors due to interference of the light that reflects from the inner and outer boundaries of the thin soap and water film.  Light striking the outer surface has a phase change on reflection of  .  That means that its phase is flipped when it goes from air to the water surface and back out.  Light reflecting from the inner surface, where it  is in water then comes to the boundary with air, does not change its phase.  Suppose you see white light reflecting from a bubble as it increases its size.  The film making the bubble gets thinner and thinner and the colors reflecting from it change.  The bubble glows in colors that differ with the thickness of the soap film. As it gets even thinner, what will you see at the place in the film that will soon burst?

In doubt, try an experiment with soapy water and make your own bubble.  Look at the colors of a reflected white light when the bubble thins.

   

Darkness.  The light will destructively interfere and the bubble will not reflect light.

   

Blue

   

Green

   

Red 

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