Question

Give an example of a wave characteristic of light that is easily observed outside the laboratory.

Short answer

A color pattern is developed when oil spilled over water is seen in the sunlight, as did rainbow can be seen in the light reflected off a soap bubble.

Step-by-step solution

Concept Introduction

A wave is a disturbance in a medium that carries energy between two points without particle movement.

Explanation

We must provide one or more instances of a light wave feature that may be detected outside of the laboratory.

Consider the following examples that can be observed outside the laboratory:

• Interference may be seen as a color pattern when oil is spilled over water and seen in the sunlight. This means that the light is in the form of a wave.
• Interference may be seen in the colors of light reflected off a soap bubble when seen in sunlight, which also reveals that the light is a form of a wave.