Photographer and scientist Felice Frankel’s latest book, Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the hidden science around us, is a testament to the beauty of physics and chemistry in plain sight. The work compiles a series of close-up images, many captured on a smartphone, that challenge viewers to identify the scientific phenomena at play.
The Science of Opals
The first image features a striking piece of opal. The vibrant blue veins aren’t random; they result from light diffraction within the mineral. Opals consist of microscopic silica spheres, and the spacing between them dictates which colors we perceive. This is why opals can shift in hue depending on the angle of light.
Condensation as a Lens
An image of sautéing peppers reveals another hidden process: optical transmission through condensation. When steam forms on a pan lid, the tiny water droplets act as lenses, refracting and transmitting the peppers’ color into the camera. This illustrates how light behaves in everyday cooking.
The Layers of Agate
A high-resolution scan of agate reveals the mineral’s layered structure. These patterns are formed from deposits of silica over time. The photograph highlights how even seemingly simple stones harbor complex geological histories.
Copper Oxidation and Color
The striking colors in a copper pan aren’t just aesthetic; they’re the result of chemical oxidation. When exposed to heat and air, copper forms compounds that create vibrant hues, demonstrating the interplay between materials and their environment.
Oil Slick Interference
The final image captures an oil slick on water. The rainbow-like effect is caused by light interference. The varying thickness of the oil layer causes reflections on both its top and bottom surfaces, resulting in colorful wavelengths. This phenomenon is a classic example of wave physics in action.
Frankel’s work underscores how science isn’t confined to labs; it’s embedded in the world around us, waiting to be observed. The images serve as a reminder that beauty and scientific curiosity can coexist in the most unexpected places.
