Many product packages and ID cards use hologram stickers that change colour with viewing angle. Which wave phenomenon makes this possible, and how does it impact society?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the phenomenon described: hologram stickers that change colour with viewing angle. This effect relies on how light waves interact as they encounter micro- or nano-structured surfaces.
Option a: 'Scattering; enhances indoor lighting' — Scattering involves redirection of light in many directions, but it does not inherently produce angle-dependent colour changes in a controlled, interference-based hologram. So this choice mischaracterizes the mechanism and the practical purpose.
Option b: 'Interference; helps prevent counterfeiting' — This is the correct conceptual link. Holograms rely on interference and diffraction of light from precisely engineered structures to create angle-dependent colours and patterns. Such interference-based features are difficult to reproduce, making holograms effective anti-counterfeiting measures, which impacts society by helping protect brands and consumers from fraud.
Option c: 'Absorption; improves night vision' — Absorption would typically dull or reduce light, not produce the vivid, angle-dependent colour change seen in holograms. It does not align with how holograms are designed to function, and it has no relation to improving night vision.
Option d: 'Refraction; reduces electricity use' — Refraction describes bending of light as it passes between media with different indices, but it does not by itself create the dynamic colour-shifting visuals of holograms. Also, there is no direct link to reducing electricity use in this context.

SPH4U - Physics 12 (2025-26) - A

Many product packages and ID cards use hologram stickers that change colour with viewing angle. Which wave phenomenon makes this possible, and how does it impact society?

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