Iridescence: Nature's Most Beautiful Physics Trick

Thank you to Brilliant for supporting PBS. To learn more, go to: https://brilliant.org/BeSmart/ ↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓ Uploaded 28-02-23 Why do we see rainbows in soap bubbles? What makes an oil slick so oddly beautiful? Iridescent colors, which transform depending on the angle you look at them, are all over nature. How does physics make these shifting rainbows? We’re going to find out with the help of the National Museum of Natural History's most spectacular specimens – from bird feathers and beetle wings to fossils and gemstones. Check out some of my other videos about color in nature: In search of the blackest thing on Earth https://youtu.be/86P03RlegBM Why is blue so rare in nature? https://youtu.be/3g246c6Bv58 SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a video! ►► http://bit.ly/iotbs_sub We’re on PATREON! Join the community https://www.patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart ----------- High fives to all our Brain Trust Patrons: paul andre bouis Mark Littlehale Ali Freiburger Mehdi Damou Barbora Bei Burt Humburg Roy Lasris dani bowman David Johnston Salih Arslan Baerbel Winkler Robert Young Eric Meer Dustin Karen Haskell Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.twitter.com/okaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Merch https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices