iridescence
If the waves reflected off both parts of the are in sync, they will amplify eachother, enhancing the reflected light (constructive interference). If they are opposite each other, they will cancel eachother out, reducing the reflected light (destructive interference).
![the different colors we see in the visible light spectrum are due to different wavelengths](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0c0a1dcfe79fb04075c4962bfa2c556a37b0eb2b4e740e0c19ab72b55f73b57d/iridescence-transparent-bkg-05.png)
![aligning the waves causes the light and color to appear](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f40c1bae41c4b135421a26d2df3fa68cc2af8d1c73f04c4966e441b5d97128d6/iridescent-waves-diagram-transparent-bkg-03.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/62559e3d35edf128bda70fc930c65c3fcd140648a9ad50a65b408c708b135f87/iridescent-waves-diagram-transparent-bkg-01.png)
![misaligning the waves causes the light and color to disappear](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/745704b7d75cb86a8d188b5c149c6db73a6ec377de7b3ef95842ae998f3e39c6/iridescent-waves-diagram-transparent-bkg-04.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4591cb5a20077b2c7d3d78ad6d088868fc7b5c7940168b4feb7c45dab2b55498/iridescent-waves-diagram-transparent-bkg-02.png)