The colors on a soap bubble reveal its changing thickness — ChillScroll

A transparent soap bubble covered in swirling rainbow bands against black

The colors on a soap bubble reveal its changing thickness

Light reflects from both sides of the bubble's thin film. As the two reflections meet, different colors brighten or cancel depending on how thick the film is at that spot.

The bubble is clear; its thickness paints the rainbow.

Source · Exploratorium ↗