
Iridescence facts for kids

Iridescence is a physical property of some surfaces. Their colour appears to change as the angle of view or illumination changes.
Examples of natural iridescence are common. It can be seen in soap bubbles, butterfly wings and sea shells, and certain minerals. These are structural colours caused by microstructures which interfere with light.
The physical process which causes iridescence is usually interference.
Images for kids
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A catfish
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Iridescence in meat is caused by light diffraction on the exposed muscle cells on the meat surface.
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An ammolite gemstone is a fossil ammonite.
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A bismuth crystal with a thin iridescent layer of bismuth oxide
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Goethite, an iron(III) oxide-hydroxide, from Polk County, Arkansas
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Playing surface of a compact disc
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The iridescent exoskeleton of a golden stag beetle
