Close-up of the surface of a bubble of soap showing light interference effects. The swirling pattern and lines of colour occur because of light rays b
Close-up of the surface of a bubble of soap showing light interference effects. The swirling pattern and lines of colour occur because of light rays being reflected from both the front and back of the thin film of water making up the bubble. The thickness of the film varies across the bubble, affecting the wavelength of incident white light. Silver colour is produced by a film about 70 nanometres thick, gold about 100 nanometres thick, green about 150 nanometres thick and red as the film gets thicker. As the soap film drains vertically under gravity, the top of the film becomes thinner and the bottom thicker. The bubble then bursts.
Size: 6140px × 4912px
Photo credit: © KYM COX/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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