Light and Color
People have wondered about the nature of light and color since ancient times.
Some people though that light came from the eye rather than coming into the eye.
To see, light was projected from our eyes to illuminate things as we look at them.
Now we know that what we see is mostly reflected light, like the light from the moon which is reflected sunlight.
Light comes from a light source, such as the Sun, and either enters our eyes directly or after it has reflected off something.
To illuminate something means to make it visible.
Besides the sun what's another example of direct light source? a fire or flashlight
In 1666 Sir Isaac Newton showed that when light passes through a prism, it separates into all the other colors.
This clearly demonstrated that light is composed of many different colors.
The difference between colors is due to their wavelength.
A prism separates light into different colors because each color has a different wavelength.
The angle at which a color bends in a prism depends on its wavelength.
What can separate light into it's component colors? a prism
Colors with shorter wavelengths bend more than colors with longer wavelengths.
This explains why red light bends less than yellow light.
The reason is because its wavelength is longer.
Of the visible colors, violet light has the shortest wavelength, so it bends the most.
Of the visible colors, which color has the shortest wavelength? violet
A prism separates light into its component colors.
Each color is a single wavelength of light.
If you have ever painted, you know that different colors can be combined to create new colors.
For example, if you add white to a color, you lighten it.
However, the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow cannot be made by mixing other colors.
It isn't possible to mix any combination of colors to create red, blue or yellow.
Mixing two primary colors creates a secondary color such as purple, which is made by mixing blue and red.
Mixing three primary colors creates a tertiary color such as brown or gray.
Which colors cannot be created by combing other colors? the primary colors
What happens to a color if you add white to it? it gets a lighter
The difference between colors is due to their wavelength.
Purple is made by mixing blue and red.
Color's Effect
Colors are wonderful to look at, but they also affect people in ways besides sight.
They have a powerful effect on how people feel and behave.
Artists know this and so do businesspeople who want to influence how people feel about their products and advertisements.
For example, research has shown that people can be more productive if they are working in a blue room.
The color purple is often linked to wealth and royalty and is seen as a mysterious, spiritual color.
Some colors have even been associated with changes in blood pressure.
Though color can influence how we feel and act, these effects may depend on personal and cultural factors.
Therefore, it's important not to believe everything you hear about the effects of color.
If two things are associated with each other, they are connected in some way.
Different colors can be combined to form other colors.
Though there are differences between cultures, there is a general agreement about some colors.
The color red, for example, is a warm color associated with energy and excitement in many cultures.
In China red is associated with fire, energy and good fortune.
On the other hand, one experiment showed that exposing students to red before taking a test can have a negative effect.
In fact, of all the colors, research shows that red has the most powerful effect on human behavior.
Certainly, it's interesting and important to better understand the psychological effects of light and color.
To gain a better understanding of these effects, more research is needed.
Purple is made by mixing blue and red.
