General Physics : A scientist notices that an oil slick floating on
Subject: Physics / General Physics
Question
A scientist notices that an oil slick floating on water when viewed from above has many different rainbow colors reflecting off the surface. She aims a spectrometer at a particular spot and measures the wavelength to be 750 nm (in air). The index of refraction of water is 1.33.
Part A
The index of refraction of the oil is 1.20. What is the minimum thickness t of the oil slick at that spot?
Express your answer in nanometers to three significant figures.
Part B
Suppose the oil had an index of refraction of 1.50. What would the minimum thickness t be now?
Express your answer in nanometers to three significant figures.