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Does Purple Exist in Physics?

Published in Color Perception 2 mins read

According to our current understanding of physics, purple, as a single wavelength color, doesn't technically exist.

Here's why:

  • Wavelength and Color Perception: Colors we perceive are generally associated with specific wavelengths of light. Violet is at one end of the visible spectrum, with the shortest wavelengths, and red is at the other end, with the longest wavelengths.

  • Purple is a Combination: Purple isn't a wavelength on its own. Instead, our brains interpret purple when we see a combination of red and blue light. It's a composite color.

  • Magenta's Similar Case: Magenta is another color we perceive that doesn't correspond to a single wavelength. It's created from a mix of red and blue light, similar to purple.

  • The Brain's Role: Ultimately, the perception of purple is a phenomenon that occurs within our brains. The brain interprets the signals from our eyes, which are receiving a combination of red and blue light, and creates the sensation of purple.

In essence, while we perceive purple as a color, it's not a single, distinct wavelength in the same way that green or yellow are. It's a product of our brains processing a combination of other wavelengths.

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