1.

0 ABSTRACT

A thin film can be characterised by its unique optical properties. Since the

thickness of a thin film is on the order of the wavelength of visible light, we see

interference effects in the transmission of visible light through the film due to multiple

reflections at the surfaces of the film. The problem that we found is motorists are allowed

to tint their rear windshields and passenger windows without any restriction starting

from 8 May 2019. How many car owners do not exceed the VLT percentage approved by

the government? The project is in the field of optic and the title ‘The tint film of the car

window’ is carried out on residents in Kulai Restrict. The main purpose of this project is

to investigate the relationship between thickness of the tint film of car windows and the

VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentage of the tint film of car windows installed by

the residents and estimate the proportion of the preference of VLT percentage of tint film

of car windows by the respondents in which do not exceed the VLT percentage approved

by the government. An experiment is conducted to demonstrate the occurrence of the

thin-film interference based on air wedge film. Questionnaire, survey and some

observations are used to identify the preference of VLT percentage of tint film of car

windows by the respondents. A series of formulae are applied, analysis by tabulation and

graphical approach is also carried out. From the result, we can conclude that the VLT

percentage of tint film decreases exponentially with thickness of the tint film and

proportion of the preference of VLT percentage of tint film of car windows by the

respondents in a sample in which do not exceed the VLT percentage approved by the

government is in between 53.33% to 66.67%.

1
2.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH

A thin film is defined as a layer of material of thickness ranging from fractions of

a nanometre to several micrometres. The controlled synthesis of materials as thin films is

a fundamental step in many applications (Tomoaki Matsushima, 2012). [1]

In physics, interference is a phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a

resultant wave of greater, lower, or the same amplitude. Constructive and destructive

interference are occurred results from the interaction of waves that are coherent with each

other, either because they come from the same source or because they have the same or

nearly the same frequency (Ockenga and Wymke, 2011). [3]

Thin-film interference is a dominant approach to produce structural colours in

nature. It can be divided into single thin-film and multilayer thin-film interference

(Kiyotaka Wasa, 2012). [1] Thin film interference occurs when light waves reflecting off

the top and bottom surfaces of a thin film interfere with one another. This type of

interference is the reason that thin films, such as oil or soap bubbles, form colourful

patterns. An example of application of thin-film interference is coatings in infrared

reflection spectroscopy of organic samples in contact with thin metal films. A thin

dielectric IR-transparent interlayer is introduced between an IR-transparent medium of

incidence and a thin metal film. The interlayer increases the intensity of light on the

metal/sample interface at certain wavenumbers. By computations, the reflectivity of the

system “calcium fluoride (CaF2)– germanium (Ge)–gold (Au) sample” are analysed as a

function of incidence angle and Germanium layer thickness. Absorbance spectra with

2
acetonitrile as a sample are recorded for different angles of incidence and polarizations

and compared to computations. A characteristic feature of the absorbance spectra is the

occurrence of interference fringes distributed between 1000 and 6000 cm−1, i.e., over the

complete mid-IR wavelength range into the near-IR. These fringes could be used in

analytical spectroscopy (Martina Reithmeier and Andreas Erbe, 2011). [2]

Visible light transmission, or VLT, is the amount of visible light that passes

through a lens. For instance, a lens with a VLT of 12% allows 12% of light to shine

through and blocks 88% of it. The VLT of window film is a crucial part in determining

how much heat protection, UV protection and security protection you will get. VLT is

calculated on the percentage of light that penetrates through tinted glass (Arizona Solar

Control Inc, 2015). [4]

According to Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glass)

(Amendment) Rules 2019, current regulations stipulate that the minimum visible light

transmission (VLT) percentages are 70% for the front windscreen, 50% for the front side

windows, and 0% for the rear windows and the rear windscreen. For applications based

on security purposes, a service fee of RM50 will be charged for each application

submitted. If approved, a successful applicant will have to pay RM5,000 to be able to

lawfully darken the front windscreen and front side windows of the vehicle below the

permissible 70% and 50% levels. As previously reported, exemption will be given to

vehicle owners who need to utilise a completely darkened vehicle because of medical

conditions, but applications for exemption on such grounds need a written confirmation

from a government physician. For those owners who are not follow the regulations, first-

3
time offenders can be fined of up to RM 500 or risk a two-week jail sentence, while

subsequent offenders will be slapped with a 1000 fine, or a one-month jail sentence, or

both (Anthony Lim, 2019). [5]

Figure 1: The law started from 9 May 2019 on the VLT percentages

of the tint car windows

In this project, an experiment is carried out to research about the window film

used in automobiles. The problem statement is based on Malaysia’s current Transport

Minister Anthony Loke, motorists are allowed to tint their rear windshields and passenger

windows without any restriction starting from 8 May 2019. How many car owners do not

exceed the VLT percentage approved by the government? The topic of the project is

come out, which is “The tint film of car window” under the theme of optic. Therefore, the

purposes of this project are to demonstrate the occurrence of the thin-film interference

4
based on air wedge film, to investigate the relationship between thickness of the tint film

of car windows and the VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentage of the tint film of

car windows installed by the residents, and to estimate the proportion of the preference of

VLT percentage of tint film of car windows by the respondents in which do not exceed

the VLT percentage approved by the government. Window film is a thin laminate film

that can be installed to the interior or exterior of glass surfaces in automobiles, homes and

buildings. There are many different grades, shades, colours, and thicknesses of available

window films built to offer solutions to a variety of challenges. For examples are heat and

glare reduction, thermal insulation, UV filtration, security, privacy, decoration, and

protection from graffiti (Rohrer and Finlo, 2007). [6]

3.0 METHODOLOGY

5
 The methodology is the general research strategy that outlines the way in which

research is to be undertaken and, among other things, identifies the methods to be used in

it. These methods, gives those with no ideas something to do (Mason Cooley, 2001), as

the guidelines and it also define the mean or mode of data collection, or sometimes is

how a specific result is to be calculated (Howell.K.E., 2013). According to the

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Fourth Edition (2013), methodology is

defined as a set of methods used in a particular area of study or activity. Methodology is a

institution reconstructed in transquility (Paul F. Lazarsfeld, 1994).

Qualitative method is defined as a systematic investigation and measurement of

the phenomenon by gathering the numerical analysis and performing mathematical,

computing or even statistical techniques (Babbie, Earl R., 2010). The method that also

used in this project is qualitative research method which involves the conduction of the

survey and expectational results based on the questionnaire form. The target group for

this study is the car owners in Kulai Restrict. The car owners are having different VLT

percentage for tint film of car windows and the residents have different point of views

towards the VLT percentage for tint film of car windows. Numerous methods are applied

to distinguish their preference of VLT percentage of tint film of car windows in order to

achieve the objectives of the project.

For conduction of the survey, 6 car owners in Kulai Restrict are tested out their

cars’ VLT percentage of the tint film of car windows. Four types of car windows (front

windscreen, front side windows, rear windows, rear windscreen) are tested based on the

6
procedures listed. The assumption on the car window is the surface of the car windows

choose is almost flat and plane. The data required are then collected and recorded in the

survey form. The data collected are used to calculate the final results based on a series of

formulae listed. Further tabulation is carried out to gather the informations collected. The

tabulation is shown as below:

Manipulate
d Variable, Responding

C (± Variable,

ar Uncertainty (unit)

W )unit

in
Respondent 1
Respondent 1
Respondent 2
Respondent 3
Respondent 4
Respondent 5
Respondent 6
Respondent 2
Respondent 3
Respondent 4
Respondent 5
Respondent 6

do
w

Fr
on
t
wi
nd
scr
ee
n
Fr
on
t
sid
e
wi
nd

7
 o
ws
Re
ar
wi
nd
o
ws
Re
ar
wi
nd
scr
ee
n

Then, the tabulation for VLT percentage of tint film must carries out the VLT percentage

of tint film after correction. This is because the commercial tint film has the VLT

percentage of tint film with the multiple of 5.

From the experiment of air wedge film to demonstrate the occurrence of the thin-

film interference and the survey form results, a relationship of thickness t and the

transmittance T can be deduced from the graph of transmittance of the plastic transparent

sheet against the thickness of the air wedge (which served as the tint film in reality) that

have plotted.

3.1 Experimental Procedure and Outing for Research

Theory:

8
The light leaving the source is in phase. However, upon reflecting from the thin film back

to the observer, the light will necessarily be out of phase due to the extra distance ray B

travels as it reflects off the bottom surface of the thin film. If the light hits the surface

perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly, then the extra distance ray B travels is twice

the thickness of the thin film at the point where the light is incident. This extra distance

and the corresponding phase differences are related to each other as

phase difference , ∅ path difference , 2t

2π = wavelength with∈the thin film , λn …………. (1)

In this case, the thin film has an index of refraction n and λ n = λ/n, where λ is the

wavelength of the light source in air. Equation (1) then becomes

ϕ 2tn
2π
=
λ
……… (2)

If two waves interfere and the phase difference between them is 2mπ, where m = 0, 1,

2,..., then constructive interference results. And, if the phase difference is 2(m – ½)π,

where m = 0, 1, 2, ..., then destructive interference results. Other phase differences give

partial constructive or destructive interference. When the phase difference, ϕ in (2) is

replaced by the values of the phase difference, the results are

2nt = mλ , m=0,1,2,….. (3)

for constructive interference, and

2nt = (m + 1/2) λ , m=0,1,2,….. (4)

for destructive interference.

An added complication arises in thin film interference. It is found that when light

traveling in a medium of one index of refraction is reflected from a surface of higher

index, a - phase shift occurs. No phase shift occurs at the surface when the reflecting

9
surface has a lower index of refraction. The result is that if the total number of phase

shifts that rays A and B undergo is zero or an even number, then (3) and (4) hold as

above. But, if an odd number of phase shifts occur, then (3) corresponds to destructive

interference and (4) corresponds to constructive interference, where N is the number of

dark lines in the distance d. Equation (3) then becomes:

NL λ
t= ……………..(5)
2nx

Variables:

 Constant Variable: The refractive index of plastic transparent sheet or tint film,

the VLT percentage of the car windows without tint film, the length of the tint

film L, the number of dark lines, N.

 Manipulated Variable: The category of car windows, the distance between 180

consecutive dark lines ℓ, the distance between the two consecutive dark lines x,

the thickness of the tint film t.

 Responding variable: The VLT percentages of the tint film of car windows

choose by the car owners, the number of respondents who does not follows the

10
 rule on the VLT percentage of the tint film of car windows approved by the

Ministry of Transportation.

Apparatus:
 A monochromatic light source (red laser light)
 Two plane, parallel plastic transparent sheet
 15cm rule
 Metre rule
 Blank papers
 Plane mirror

Procedure:
Part 1: Using Air Wedge Film to demonstrate the occurrence of the thin-film

interference (Optional)

1. Place a plastic transparent sheet to be detected on a blank paper.

2. Direct a ray from the monochromatic light source toward the plastic transparent

sheet. Mark the normal point on the side AB (Figure 1).

3. Place the protractors on both side AB and side CD according to the normal of the

light ray passed through.

4. Direct the ray of light from monochromatic light along the incident angle i from

the normal on side AB. Draw the emerging ray from the side CD.

C D
Plastic sheet
Monochromatic r
light source
B
A
Protractor

11
 i

Figure 1
5. Observe the refractive angle r along the emerging ray.
sin i sin i
6. Calculate the value of sin i, sin r and
sin r
. Obtain the average value of sin r by

taking other values of incident angle I and its corresponding refractive angle r .
Then, determine the value of refractive index, n
7. Clean the surfaces of the two plastic sheets and handle them so that no smudges
are left on their surfaces.
8. Plug in and turn on the light source.
9. Carefully draw two parallel lines 2cm apart on the blank paper. This is the
distance d. Record d and the uncertainty, δd.
10. Request a hair from the head of a member of your group and measure the
diameter of the hair with the micrometer (Figure 2). Record this value and its
uncertainty. Be sure not to crush the hair when you tighten the micrometer.
11. Carefully place the hair between two plastic sheets perpendicular to the length of
the sheets and close to one end. (Do not press the sheets together; this will crush
the hair.)
Light
Source
Plastic
sheet Hair

d=2cm
L
Figure 2

12
 12. Lay the sheets down over the lines drawn on the blank paper so that the length of

the plates is perpendicular to the lines. Measure the distance from the point of

contact of the plastic sheets to the position of the hair. Record the value L and its

uncertainty, δL.

13. Adjust the position of the light source until the light from the lamp shines almost

straight downward on the plastic sheets. Notice the bright and dark interference

lines.

14. Use the 10 cm focal length lens as a magnifying glass and count the number of

dark lines between the one centimetre marks on the notebook paper. Record the

number of lines, N, and the uncertainty in the count, δN.

15. Repeat step 10 to step 14 by replacing the hair with a piece of paper, two pieces of

paper and three pieces of paper (or other suitable materials).

16. Tabulate the value of the number of lines, N, the distance from the point of

contact of the plastic sheets to the position of the material, L. Calculate the

thickness of the material clipped at one end of the plastic sheets from the distance

between the two consecutive dark lines, x using the optical path relation formula

below:

NLλ
t=
2nx

17. Calculate the optical path difference of the light rays passing through thin film

based on the distance between the two consecutive dark lines. Using the optical

path difference Λ, find the transmittance of the plastic sheets using the Beer-

Lambert Law,

T =e−n Λ

13
 18. Then, plot a graph of the thickness of the material clipped at one end of the glass

sheets against the transmittance of the plastic sheet.

19. Investigate the relationship between the thickness of the material clipped at one

end of the plastic sheets and the transmittance of the plastic sheet.

Part 2: Conduction of the Survey about the VLT percentage of the tint film of car

windows installed

1. Carry out the survey to the respondents who own car and lives in Kulai district.

2. Find 6 respondents as the sample size of the survey.

3. Place a plastic sheet behind the car window and measure the thickness between

the two consecutive dark lines x from 180 dark lines (the 180 dark lines is

confirmed as the maximum order of the dark line produced) in the length of

30.0cm of car window,l. Point the red laser almost normally incident to the car

windows.

4. Repeat this process for the front windscreen, front side windows, rear windows

and rear windscreen.

5. Using the optical path difference for thin-film interference Λ, find the thickness of

the tint film of the car windows.

NLλ
Optical path difference, Λ=2 nt=
x

6. Using the optical path difference Λ, find the transmittance of the tint film of car

windows using the Beer-Lambert Law,

T =e−n Λ

14
 7. Based on the transmittance of the tint film of car windows, the VLT percentage of

the tint film can be calculated.

T =V Tint × V window

8. Categorise the VLT percentage of based on the type of car windows.

9. Collect the information and record the data collected in the survey form.

10. Analyse the data collected using the suitable graphical tools.

3.2 Listing of Formulae Applied

1. First, obtain the distance between 180 two consecutive dark linesl, from the tint

film, then calculate the distance between two consecutive dark lines, x.

l
x=
180

(*Why there are 180 dark lines? In 30cm of tint film, there are 180 dark lines

produced on the tint film, it is a constant. Also, the fringe separation x increases

as the distance l increases.)

15
2. Using the optical path difference for thin-film interference Λ, find the thickness of

the tint film of the car windows.

NL λ
OPD , Λ=2nt =
x

3. Using the optical path difference Λ, find the transmittance of the tint film of the

car windows using the Beer-Lambert Law,

T =e−n Λ

4. Based on the transmittance of the tint film of the car windows, the VLT

percentage of the tint film can be calculated.

T =V Tint × V window

Where:

L = Length of the tint film (take 30 cm as the fixed length for all car windows)

λ = Wavelength of the red laser (550nm)

N = Number of dark lines (180 dark lines as fixed values)

n = Tint film refractive index (1.52)

x = fringe separation / distance between two consecutive dark lines

t = Thickness of the tint film

T = transmittance of the car windows / total VLT percentage of the car windows

and tint film

V window = VLT percentage of the car window (80%, a constant)

V tint = VLT percentage of the tint film (according to many of the tint film stores,

the VLT % has the multiple of 5)

16
 Another relationship also can be determine (optional),

1
Intensity , I ∝
Thickness , t

*According to Dr. A. Kumar from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute

(2014), in many cases optical parameters change with the thickness in
certain thickness range. If absorption itself starts increasing with thickness
then absorption will increase with thickness. Without measuring optical
parameters with thickness of the film, conclusions cannot be drawn for any
particular case.

17
4.0 OBSERVATION, RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Data Analysis

4.1.1 Experimental Results

Refractive index of the plastic sheet, n = 1.52

Thickness
Distance VLT
between two Thickness of
between 180 percentage of
Material consecutive the material, t
consecutive dark the tint film,
dark lines, x (cm)
lines, (ℓ±0.1) cm V Tint (%)
(cm)
A hair 2.0 0.0111 0.0882 83.2
A piece of 1.8 0.0100 0.0977 79.6
paper
2 pieces of 0.9 0.0050 0.1950 50.6
paper
3 pieces of 0.6 0.0033 0.2930 32.3
paper
4 pieces of 0.4 0.0022 0.4441 16.1
paper
5 pieces of 0.3 0.0017 0.5747 7.0
paper
Table 1: Thickness of the Material and VLT percentage of the Tint Film, V Tint

18
4.1.2 Questionnaire Form Results

Age of the cars of the Number of Respondents

respondents
One year or below 10
2-3 years 4
4-5 years 7
6 years or above 9
Total 30
Table 2: Age of the cars of the respondents

AGE OF THE CARS OF THE RESPONDENTS

9 10
30% 33% One year or below
2-3 years
4-5 years
6 years or above
7 4
23% 13%

Graph 2: Age of the cars of the respondents

Durability of Tinted Car Windows Installed Number of Respondents

19
One years or below 10
2-3 years 8
4-5 years 8
6 years or above 4
Total 30
Table 3: Durability of Tinted Car Windows Installed by the Respondents

DURABILITY OF TINTED CAR WINDOWS INSTALLED

4
13%
10
One years or below
33%
2-3 years
8 4-5 years
27% 6 years or above

8
27%

Graph 3: Durability of Tinted Car Windows Installed by the Respondents

Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars/ Number of Respondents

Reasons on the Choice Made for VLT Percentage of the

Yes No
Tinted Car Windows
Reduce The Sunlight Penetrates Into The Car 30 0

20
Keep The Driver's Privacy 19 11
Reduce The Possibility Of Burglaries 17 13
Prevent Any Accidents Or Injuries By Loose Shards Of
16 14
Glass
Make The Car A Darken-Coloured Theme 8 22
Can See More Clearly 17 13
More Attractive Exterior 15 15
Suitable For Family 20 10
Total 0 0
Table 4: Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars/ Reasons on the Choice

Made for VLT Percentage of the Tinted Car Windows

21
 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35

Reduce the sunlight penetrates into the car 30

0
19
Keep the driver's privacy

11
17
Reduce the possibility of burglaries
13
16

22
Prevent any accidents or injuries by loose sha...
14

Make The Car A Darken-Coloured Theme

22

17

Can See More Clearly

13

Graph 4: Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars

More Attractive Exterior
15 15

Yes
REASON OF INSTALLING TINTED CAR WINDOWS FOR THE CARS

20

Suitable For Family

10

No
 The Preference of VLT Percentage of Tinted Car Windows
Car Window >70% <30%
60% 50% 40%
(Bright) (Dark)
Front Windscreen 14 5 7 3 1

Front Side Windows 5 6 12 4 3

Rear Windows 4 7 9 5 5

Rear Windscreen 3 9 11 4 3

Total 26 27 39 16 12
Table 5: The Preference of VLT Percentage of Tinted Car Windows

THE PREFERENCE OF VLT PERCENTAGE OF TINTED CAR WINDOWS

16
14
14
12
12 11
10 9 9
8 7 7
6
6 5 5 5 5
4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3
2 1
0
Front windscreen Front side windows Rear windows Rear windscreen

>70% (Bright) 60% 50% 40% < 30% (Dark)

Graph 5: The Preference of VLT Percentage of Tinted Car Windows

23
4.1.3 Survey Form Results

Number of Respondents
Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars
Yes No
Reduce the sunlight penetrates into the car 6 0
Keep the driver's privacy 5 1
Reduce the possibility of burglaries 4 2
Prevent any accidents or injuries by loose shards of glass 3 3
Total 0 0
Table 6: Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars

REASON OF INSTALLING TINTED CAR WINDOWS FOR THE CARS

7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3 3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
Reduce the Keep the driver's Reduce the Prevent any
sunlight penetrates privacy possibility of accidents or
into the car burglaries injuries by loose
shards of glass

Yes No
Graph 6: Reason of Installing Tinted Car Windows for the Cars

Thickness of the tint film, t (cm) VLT percentage of the tint film, V Tint (%)
0.3510 24.6
0.2930 32.3
0.2200 45.1
0.1950 50.6
0.1760 55.5

24
 0.1350 66.9
0.1260 70.0
0.0977 79.6
0.0921 81.6
0.0882 83.2
Table 7: Thickness of the Tint Film and VLT percentage of the Tint Film, V Tint

(*The data is based on Table 8)

4.2 Observation and Discussion

4.2.1 Results Analysis

Table 1 and Graph 1 show the tabulations and the graphical representations from

the experimental results from the demonstration of the thin-film interference in air wedge

film. The thickness of the materials t (the air wedge is serve as the variation of thickness

of the tint film t in the real situation) against the VLT percentage of the thin film is

25
plotted. Based on the shape of the graph, it can be said that the thickness of the materials

decreases as the VLT percentage of the tint film. From the equation,

NLλ
OPD , Λ=2nt = …..(1)
x

T =e−n Λ ….. (2)

Equate (1) and (2),
2

T =e−2 n t

It can be found that the thickness of the materials decreases exponentially with VLT

percentage of the tint film.

From Table 2 and Graph 2, majority of the respondents own cars within one year

old (10 respondents, 33%), this could be further influenced the choice made by the

respondent on the tint film of the car windows as most of the respondents could be buy

the cars recently, so the tint film of the car windows may be follow the rule approved by

the government. There are also 9 respondents (30%) own cars exceed 6 years old,

because this group of cars may do not have tint film for car windows. Then, followed by

7 respondents (23%) own 4 to 5 years old cars, and lastly 4 respondents (13%) own 2 to 3

years old cars.

From Table 3 and Graph 3, majority of the respondents have the durability of

tinted car windows within one year (10 respondents, 33%), this can be explained by most

of the respondents are alert on the tint film of their car windows, and also on the rule

changed on the tint film of the car windows approved by the government. There are also

26
8 respondents (27%) have the durability of tinted car windows between 2 to 3 years and

another 8 respondents (27%) have the durability of tinted car windows between 4 to 5

years, and lastly 4 respondents (13%) have the durability of tinted car windows exceed 6

years, this group of respondents may have higher percentage of tint film of the car

windows due to decrease in the thickness of the tint film from year to year.

From Table 4 and Graph 4, the reason “reduce the sunlight penetrates into the

car” has 100% agreement from the respondents on the reason of installing tinted car

windows for their cars (30/all respondents agree), while the reason “make the car a

darken-coloured theme” has the lowest agreement from the respondents on the reason on

the choice made for VLT percentage of the tinted car windows (8 respondents agree and

22 respondents disagree).

From Table 5 and Graph 5, overall trend shows majority of the respondents prefer

50% VLT percentage of tinted car windows (39 respondents). For front windscreen,

majority of the respondents prefer VLT percentage of tinted car windows more than 70%

(17 respondents) in which counted as the minimum VLT percentage of tint film of the car

windows which follow the rule, for VLT percentage of tinted front side windows is 50%

(12 respondents) also counted as the minimum VLT percentage of tint film of the car

windows which follow the rule, for VLT percentage of tinted rear windows also 50% (9

respondents), and lastly for VLT percentage of tinted rear windscreen is also 50% (11

respondents). Since there are no restriction on the VLT percentage of tinted rear windows

and tinted rear windscreen so the proportion of these car windows break the rule is zero.

27
 Therefore, the proportion of the preference of VLT percentage of tinted car

windows by the 30 respondents in which do not exceed (or break the rule) the VLT

percentage approved by the government can be calculated:

(Given that front windscreen minimum 70%, front side windows minimum 50%, rear

windows and rear windscreen no restriction)

Number of respondents whobreak therule , X

Proportion , p= ×100 %
Total number of respondents, n

For front windscreen, X=5+7+3+1=16

16
p= ×100 %=53 .3 3 %
30

For front side windows, X=4+3=7

7
p= × 100 %=23 .3 3 %
30

For rear windows and rear windscreen, X=0, thus p=0%.

Overall proportion,

16
p= ×100 %=53 .3 3 %
30

Number of respondents who break the rule = 16 respondents

In conclusion, there are 16 respondents in 30 respondents which their VLT

percentage of tinted car windows by the respondents in a sample in which does not

exceed the VLT percentage approved by the government. The proportion of the

28
preference of VLT percentage of tinted car windows by the respondents in a sample in

which do not exceed the VLT percentage approved by the government is 53.33%.

Table 6, Graph 6, Table 7, Graph 7, Table 8 and Graph 8 show the tabulations and

the graphical representations from the survey session and its results with 6 respondents

from Kulai Restrict who willing to give permissions for us to do experiment on their cars.

From Table 6 and Graph 6, the reason “reduce the sunlight penetrates into the

car” has 100% agreement from the respondents on the reason of installing tinted car

windows for their cars (6/all respondents agree), while the reason “prevent any accidents

or injuries by loose shards of glass” has the lowest agreement from the respondents on

the reason of installing tinted car windows for their cars (3 respondents agree and 3

respondents disagree).

From Table 7 and Graph 7, show the tabulations and the graphical representations

from the survey results about the thickness of the tint film t and the VLT percentage of

the tint film of the car windows is plotted. Based on the shape of the graph, it can be also

said that the thickness of the tint film decreases as the VLT percentage of the tint film of

the car windows. From the equation,

NLλ
OPD , Λ=2nt = …..(1)
x

T =e−n Λ ….. (2)

Equate (1) and (2),

29
 2

T =e−2 n t

It can be also found that the thickness of the tint film decreases exponentially with VLT

percentage of the tint film of the car windows.

From Table 8 and Graph 8, the thickness between two consecutive dark lines, x is

obtained from the distance between 180 two consecutive dark lines, l on the tint film is

calculated as follow:

l
x=
180

Then, the optical path difference Λ is calculated from the thickness between two

consecutive dark lines x, the optical path difference Λ can be used to calculate the

thickness of the tint film t and the VLT percentage of the tint film. The optical path

difference Λ in a tint film has the formula below:

NLλ
Optical path difference, Λ=
x
This equation can be obtained from the optical path difference of the thin-film

interference. Then, each thickness of the tint film t is calculated based on the equation

below:

2 nt =mλ m=0,1,2,3 , … .
NL
Where m= x
NLλ
Thickness of the tint film, t=
2nx
In general, respondent 1 has bought the thinnest tint film among the respondents (could

be no tint film) for his car windows while for respondent 6 has bought the thickest tint

film among the respondents for his car. Moreover, the VLT percentage of the tint film of

30
the car windows, Vtint is calculated from the optical path difference based on Beer-

Lambert Law, then followed by the general formula of VLT percentage:

T =e−n Λ

T =V Tint × V window

Deduction from Graph 7 is the relationship between the thickness of the tint and VLT

percentage of the tint film, V Tint , which is the VLT percentage of tint film V Tint decreases

exponentially with the thickness of the tint film t decreases.

Therefore, the proportion of the VLT percentage of tint film of the car windows

from the 6 respondents in which do not exceed (or break the rule) the VLT percentage

approved by the government can be calculated:

(Given that front windscreen minimum 70%, front side windows minimum 50%, rear

windows and rear windscreen no restriction)

Number of respondents whobreak therule , X

Proportion , p= ×100 %
Total number of respondents, n

For front windscreen, X= (Respondent 2, 3, 5, 6) = 4

4
p= × 100 %=66 .6 7 %
6

For front side windows, X= (Respondent 3, 6) = 2

2
p= ×100 %=3 3.33 %
6

For rear windows and rear windscreen, X=0, thus p=0%.

Overall proportion,

31
 4
p= × 100 %=66.67 %
6

Number of respondents who break the rule = 4 respondents out of 6 respondents

In conclusion, there are 4 respondents in 6 respondents which their VLT

percentage of tinted car windows by the respondents in a sample in which does not

exceed the VLT percentage approved by the government. The proportion of the

preference of VLT percentage of tinted car windows by the respondents in a sample in

which do not exceed the VLT percentage approved by the government is 66.67%.

From the survey and the questionnaire, there is an interval for the proportion of

the VLT percentage of tint film of the car windows by the respondents in a sample (30

respondents from questionnaire and 6 respondents from survey) in which do not exceed

the VLT percentage approved by the government, in which the proportion is in between

53.33% (from questionnaire) to 66.67% (from survey).

4.2.2 Discussion from the Project

There is a certain amount of unexpected situations and sources of error which

may cause the uncertainties of the values of the result to occur. First, since the thickness

between two consecutive dark lines is very small, therefore more consecutive dark lines ℓ

is used. However, there may be parallax errors happened due to the inabilities of our eye

to observe and count the dark lines formed, N in the tint film, even with the aid of

magnifying lens. Unlike the diffraction grating which its bright bands formed are

32
relatively large, it is more difficult to observe the gap between the dark lines for thin film

interference due to the low resolving power of our eye. The assumption on the surface of

the car windows may affect a little bit the VLT percentage of the tint film of each car

windows tested on the respondents’ car windows.

The limitation from this project can be due to many situations we have faced.

First, during searching for the respondents, certain amounts of respondents is unfriendly

with us and do not want to give responds on the questionnaire, some of them do not want

to give their cars for us to conduct the survey. Secondly, the burglaries from the sunlight

and the bad weather increases the difficulty to observe the distance between 180 dark

lines, l, the dark lines can be observed more clearly in the dark place or during night time.

Next, the apparatus used is consider many to carry out the experiment during survey,

compare to the meter used to detect the VLT percentage of the tint film of the car

windows

To further improve the accuracy and the overcome the weakness of the

experiment, the only way is using the tint meter, an instrument used to detect the VLT

percentage of the tint film of the car windows, thus from the VLT percentage can find the

thickness of the tint film directly. It is also the application of the thin-film interference on

detecting the VLT percentage of the tint film of car windows. The advantages of using

the window tint meter are stores last 10 tests to memory, automatic start function, easier

to operate with one button and it is more accurate than the human eye as tint meters work

by shining a beam of light at 550 nm from the instrument sensor through the window to

33
the optical sensor. As the beam is intercepted by the window, the meter will measure the

amount of light that passes through and gives a reading in VLT.

Figure 2: Window Tint Meter

There are two types of tint meters available, horseshoe tint meters and tint meters

with magnetic probes (Instrument Choice Australia, 2010). [15] Tint meters are used by

the police to ensure tinted windows are of a legal standard. Tint meters are also used by

automotive workshops to ensure custom tinted windows are of legal standard. Testing

VLT is important to ensure the driver’s visibility of other cars, cyclists, objects, and

pedestrians aren't reduced and obscured.

The reliability of the results obtained mainly depends on the VLT percentage of

the tint film on car windows after the correction. According to many of the tint film shop,

for commercial purpose, the VLT percentage is the multiple of 5, easier for the customers

to pick their ideal tint film, also a kind of standardisation on the tint film. The correction

on the VLT percentage of the tint film is a compulsory for the reasons stated above.

However, the errors from the original values can only be differentiate by calculating the

34
midpoint between the multiple of 5 value, the round off to the nearest VLT percentage of

the tint film.

5.0 CONCLUSION

Based on the results from the survey and the questionnaire, we can conclude that

the proportion of the preference of VLT percentage of tinted car windows by the

respondents in a sample in which do not exceed the VLT percentage approved by the

government, in which the proportion is in the interval of 0.533 to 0.667. Form Graph 11,

it can be shown that the VLT percentage of tint film, V Tint increases as the thickness of

the tint film, t decreases. As the suggestion, government, Education Ministry, society and

authorities, and mainly the Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) should take action

35
on handling the citizens in which the VLT percentage of their cars do not exceed the VLT

percentage approved by the government starting from 9 May 2019. The citizens should

also take responsible and give cooperation to the government on the rule that set by the

Transportation Ministry to avoid any unpredictable accident happened in our citizens.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Tomoaki Matsushima, Kiyotaka Wasa (2012),

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/thin-films (30 September

2019).

2. Martina Reithmeier and Andreas Erbe (2011),

https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-50-9-c301 (30 September

2019).

3. Ockenga and Wymke (2011),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_interference (21 September 2019).

36
4. Arizona Solar Control Inc. (2015),

https://az-solarcontrol.com/2015/08/13/what-is-visible-light-transmission-vlt/ (30

September 2019).

5. Anthony Lim (2019),

https://paultan.org/2019/05/07/new-window-tint-ruling-for-malaysian-vehicles-

darker-rear-windows-now-allowed-rm5k-fee-if-complete-car/ (28 September

2019).

6. Rohrer and Finlo (2007),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_film (30 September 2019).

7. Mayerhofer, Thomas G; Pipa, Andreid;Popp, Jurgen (2018),

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer%E2%80%93Lambert_law ; accessed on 30

September 2019.

8. Tom (2013),

https://www.window-tint.co.uk/knowledge-base/how-to-calculate-the-vlt-of-

window-tint-once-applied/ (30 September 2019).

9. Jim Clark and Gamini Gunawardena (2019),

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Te

xtbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Sp

ectroscopy/Electronic_Spectroscopy/Electronic_Spectroscopy_Basics/The_Beer-

Lambert_Law ( 30 September 2019.

10. Karen G Blaettler (2018),

https://sciencing.com/calculate-percent-transmittance-7599639.html

(30 September 2019).

37
 11. Santa Monica College, Physics (2017) Experiment 10 - Thin Film Interference

(Procedure). Academic Programs, Physical Sciences, Santa Monica College ;

Page 1 -5.

12. Poh Liong Yong - B. Sc (Hons.) Dip. Ed. (2004), STPM Physics Volume 2.

Selangor Darul Ehsan. Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd.

13. Poh Liong Yong (2018), Pre-U STPM Text Physics Term 3. Selangor Darul

Ehsan. Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn. Bhd.

14. Chen Cong Yew, Chin Siew Wui, Khoo Ee Sin, Khor Seng Chye (2018), Pre-U

STPM Text Mathematics (T) Term 3. Selangor Darul Ehsan. Penerbitan Pelangi

Sdn. Bhd.

15. Instrument Choice Australia (2010),

https://www.instrumentchoice.com.au/emails/Monthly%20Newsletter/10-9-

17/how-do-tint-meters-work-and-where-are-they-used (12 October 2019).

Appendix QUESTIONNAIRE FORM

PHYSICS COURSEWORK
SUBJECT CODE 960/4

Information to respondents,

This questionnaire has been conducted for Physics project 960/4. The aim of this
questionnaire is to collect the information about the choice of VLT percentages of
the tinted car windows installed by the residents in Kulai restrict. All the information
provided is confidential and it will only be use for research purpose only.

38
PART A: RESPONDENT’S DEMOGRAPHY DATA
Instruction: Please tick (✓) on the space given.

1) Gender
Male Female

2) Age
17 years or below 18-40 years
41-64 years 65 years or above

3) Race
Malay Indian
Chinese Other:

4) Car age
One year or below 2-3 years
4-5 years 6 years or above

5) Durability of tinted car windows installed

One year or below 2-3 years
4-5 years 6 years or above

39
 PART B: This part consists of some questions built to identify the reasons
installing the tinted car windows for your cars.
Instruction: Please tick (✓) on the space given.

REASON OF INSTALLING TINTED CAR WINDOWS FOR YOUR CARS

NO. REASON YES NO
1. Reduce the sunlight penetrates into the car
2. Keep the driver’s privacy
3. Reduce the possibility of burglaries
4. Prevent any accidents or injuries by loose shards of
glass
5. Other reason? (State *if any* : ____________________________________________
____________________________________________)

40
PART C: This part consists of some questions built to investigate about the VLT
percentage of tinted car windows prefer and the reasons on the choice made for the
VLT percentage of the tinted car windows.
Instruction: Based on the measurement below, please tick (✓) on the space given based
on your prefer VLT percentage of tinted car windows, and the reasons on the choice
made.

>70% (Bright) 60% 50% 40% <30% (Dark)

1 2 3 4 5

C1. THE PREFERENCE OF VLT PERCENTAGE OF TINTED CAR WINDOWS (for

non-car owner, assume you planned to buy tinted car windows for your car).
NO. CAR WINDOW 1 2 3 4 5
1. Front windscreen
2. Front side windows
3. Rear windows
4. Rear windscreen

C2. REASONS ON THE CHOICE MADE FOR THE VLT PERCENTAGE OF THE
TINTED CAR WINDOWS.
NO. REASON YES NO
1. Make the car a darken-coloured theme
2. Can see more clearly
3. More attractive exterior
4. Suitable for family
5. Other reason (State : )

THE QUESTIONNAIRE END

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION
SURVEY FORM
PHYSICS COURSEWORK
SUBJECT CODE 960/4
Information to car owners,

This survey has been conducted for Physics project 960/4. The aim of this survey
is to collect the information about the VLT percentages of the tinted car windows
41
installed by the residents in Kulai restrict. All the information provided is
confidential and it will only be use for research purpose only.
 PART A: CAR OWNER’S DEMOGRAPHY DATA *(Filled by car owner)
Instruction: Please fill in your personal informations below.

1) Do you agree to become our project’s respondent and allowed us to measure

your car’s VLT percentage of the tinted car windows?
Agree Disagree

Signature: _____________________________________ Date:________________

( )

2) Name: ___________________________________________________________

3) Age: _____________________________________________________________

4) Gender:
Male Female

4) Race:
Malay Indian
Chinese Other: _________________________
5) Address: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

42
PART B: MEASURE THE VLT PERCENTAGE OF THE TINTED CAR
WINDOWS
Instruction: Please tick (✓) on PART B1 only. (*PART B2 and PART B3 are data
recording for researchers.*)

B1. WHY YOU WANT TO INSTALL TINTED CAR WINDOWS?

NO. REASON YES NO
1. Reduce the sunlight penetrates into the car
2. Keep the driver’s privacy
3. Reduce the possibility of burglaries
4. Prevent any accidents or injuries by loose shards of
glass
5. Other reason (State : )

*B2. THICKNESS BETWEEN TWO CONSECUTIVE DARK LINES

NO. CAR WINDOW Thickness between two consecutive dark lines
1. Front windscreen
2. Front side windows
3. Rear windows
4. Rear windscreen

*B3. VLT PERCENTAGE OF THE TINTED CAR WINDOWS INSTALLED

NO. CAR WINDOW VLT percentage of the tinted car windows
1. Front windscreen
2. Front side windows
3. Rear windows
4. Rear windscreen

* For researchers used.

43
 THE SURVEY END
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

1)

44
(Tomo
aki
Matsushima and Kiyotaka Wasa, 2012)

45
 2)

(Martina
Reithmeier
and Andreas Erbe, 2011)

46
3)

(Wikipedia)

(Ockenga and Wymke, 2011)

47
4)

(Arizona Solar Control Inc, 2015)

48
 5)

(Anthony
Lim, 2019)

49
6)

(Rohrer and Finlo, 2007)

50
 7)

(May
erhof
er, Thomas G; Pipa, Andreid;Popp, Jurgen, 2018)

51
8)

(Tom, 2013)

52
 9)

(Jim
Clark
and Gamini Gunawardena , 2019)

53
10)

(Karen G Blaettler, 2018)

54
11)

(Santa Monica College, 2017)

55
12)

(Poh Liong Yong, 2004)

56
13)

57
 (Poh Liong Yong, 2018)

58
14)

59
(Chen Cong Yew, Chin Siew Wui, Khoo Ee Sin, Khor Seng Chye, 2018)

60
15)

(Instrument Choice Australia, 2010)

61