Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 29 - Reading Check Questions (Comprehension) - Page 559-560: 11

Answer

Interference of light waves accounts for iridescence.

Work Step by Step

Light waves bouncing off the outer and inner surfaces of a soap bubble travel different distances, and interfere with each other. This results in a shimmering spectrum of light, as some colors are in phase and interfere constructively, while others are out of phase and interfere destructively. This is discussed on page 553.
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