The Physics of Iridescent Oil Slicks: From Newton’s Rings to Tempering Steel and Tiffany Glass

Intodays episode we look past the pavement to explore the physics ofThin-Film Interference. We break down the wave-particle dualitydebate between Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke, explain how blacksmithsuse "oxide interference" to judge steel temperature, andreveal how the "Bragg Stacks" in beetle wings are drivingthe future of low-energy display technology (IMOD). Join us for adeep dive into path-length difference, constructive interference, andthe intersection of industrial chemistry and art history.