Felice Frankel, a scientist and photographer, captures everyday phenomena in her new book “Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the hidden science around us.” Through her lens, she uncovers the beauty and complexity of scientific processes that surround us, often in the most unexpected places.
One of the captivating images in her book features a piece of opal, showcasing the intricate patterns of blue veins running through the mineral. These veins are a result of diffraction, where light passing through the silica spheres that make up the opal splits into the colors of the visible spectrum. The size and spacing of these spheres determine the colors we see, creating a mesmerizing display of blues, greens, and purples.
In another image, Frankel captures the vibrant colors reflected in a copper pan as it undergoes oxidation. The heat and air exposure lead to the formation of copper compounds, especially copper carbonate, on the surface, creating a stunning patina. This natural process of patination results in a kaleidoscope of colors that add character to the humble kitchen utensil.
A closer look at a sample of agate reveals intricate layers of chalcedony, a form of silica. These layers, formed over geological time, showcase the unique banding patterns that result from the diffusion and crystallization of mineral ingredients in the fluid from which the mineral forms.
In a more unexpected setting, Frankel captures the beauty of oil and water immiscibility on a rainy day. Oil dripping from a car forms a thin layer on top of a puddle, creating small pools of the two liquids. Light waves reflect off the top and bottom surfaces of the oil film, resulting in a play of colors due to constructive interference at different thicknesses of the film.
Through her lens, Felice Frankel reveals the hidden science in everyday moments, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world that surrounds us. Her images serve as a reminder that science is not confined to laboratories and textbooks but is present in the most ordinary of experiences.
