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

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

Here,

n = Index of refraction

t = Thickness

m = Order of the reflection

= Wavelength

We have all of this values, therefore replacing,

Therefore the thickness of the oil slick is 233nm