Question

A transparent oil with index of refraction 1.28 spills on the surface of water (index of refraction 1.33), producing a maximum of reflection with normally incident orange light (wavelength 600 nm in air). Assuming the maximum occurs in the first order, determine the thickness of the oil slick. nm

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will apply the concepts related to the principle of destructive and constructive interference. Mathematically this expression can be given as

`2nt = m\lambda`

Here,

n = Index of refraction

t = Thickness

m = Order of the reflection

`\lambda` = Wavelength

We have all of this values, therefore replacing,

`2(1.28)t = (1)(600nm)`

`t = 233nm`

Therefore the thickness of the oil slick is 233nm