Using the ray model of light, how do you think an oil spill might decrease the amount of light entering the water?

The ray model of light describes how light travels in straight lines, called rays, and how these rays interact with materials they encounter.

When light encounters a new medium, such as oil from an oil spill, some of the light is reflected off the surface of the new medium and some of it is refracted, or bent, as it enters the new medium.

The oil from an oil spill forms a layer on the surface of the water. This layer can reflect a significant amount of light, preventing it from entering the water.

Additionally, oil has a different refractive index than water, which means that light changes speed and direction when it moves from the air, through the oil, and into the water. This can also reduce the amount of light that penetrates the water.

Finally, some of the light might also be absorbed by the oil, further decreasing the amount of light that enters the water.

Therefore, an oil spill can decrease the amount of light entering the water by reflecting, refracting, and absorbing the light.