Multiple choice

The beautiful colour patterns seen in the tail feathers of a peacock are due to

  1. selective absorption of light

  2. selective reflection of light

  3. interference of light

  4. natural colour pattern of feathers

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The vibrant, iridescent colors seen in peacock tail feathers are structural colors caused by the interference of light waves reflecting from microscopic, lattice-like nanostructures in the feather barbules. This optical phenomenon changes color depending on the viewing angle.