Final answer:
The question involves concepts in the subject of Physics, typically taught at the high school level, dealing with the properties and behaviors of light and waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topic of interests such as the charted height of a shore-based light, a lighthouse warning ships, the behavior of light rays and the calculation of the minimum thickness of an oil slick on water pertains to the subject of Physics, specifically optics and wave phenomena. This category of questions would typically be covered in a high school curriculum, where students learn about the properties of light, waves, and their interaction with different media.
Examples of Physical Optics
Light's behavior, like how a lighthouse rotates its top section to cover all directions, illustrates principles of reflection and the dispersion of light. The calculation of the angle at which sunlight refracts through water involves Snell's Law, while the question about the protection from wave action within a harbor relates to the principle of diffraction and its applications.
Applying Physics to Real-life Problems
Calculating the minimum thickness of an oil slick that appears blue when illuminated by white light demonstrates practical application of thin-film interference, a concept in physical optics. The index of refraction and the wavelength of light are pivotal in solving such problems. A similar understanding of wave properties helps in designing structures like breakwaters to protect boats inside harbors from waves.