An oil slick lies on a puddle of water. From it, you see a multi-colored \"rainbow\" pattern of light being reflected. What is happening? Light is totally reflected from the oil slick surface, but because of chemical properties of the oil, different wavelengths are reflected at different intensities. Light is totally reflected from the oil slick surface, but because of properties of the oil, different wavelengths are reflected in different directions. Light is partially reflected from the oil slick surface, while the light that passes through to the water beneath is reflected without a phase shift, making all wavelengths of light brighter. Light is partially reflected from the oil slick surface, while the light that passes through to the water beneath is phase shifted and reflected back, which causes an interference pattern to appear. Solution Option 2 Light is totally reflected from the oil slick surface but because of properties of oil different wavelengths are reflected in different directions. Rainbow pattern is obtained due to total internal reflection of light and it is not due to chemical propeties of oil but due to density ofthe two mediums (Oil and Water).