Colors are a result of how objects interact with light, a concept we can understand better when we look at light itself. White light, such as sunlight, is actually a combination of many different wavelengths, each corresponding to a different color. When light hits an object, different things can happen to these wavelengths, which results in how we perceive color.
The Process of Color Perception
Here's a breakdown of how colors work with light:
- White Light: Sunlight is composed of all visible colors of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Absorption: When light interacts with an object, the object's material will absorb certain wavelengths of the light.
- Reflection: The remaining wavelengths that aren't absorbed are reflected off the object.
- Color Perception: The colors we see are the wavelengths of light that are reflected to our eyes.
Practical Examples of Light and Color
| Object | What Happens to the Light | What We See |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Beach Ball | Absorbs most wavelengths, reflects the blue wavelengths | Blue |
| Red Apple | Absorbs most wavelengths, reflects the red wavelengths | Red |
| Green Leaf | Absorbs most wavelengths, reflects the green wavelengths | Green |
Key Concepts
- Wavelength: Different colors have different wavelengths. For example, blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
- Absorption: This is when light is taken in by an object and is not reflected.
- Reflection: This is when light bounces off an object.
For example, according to the reference, a blue patch on a beach ball absorbs most of the wavelengths of white light, but reflects the blue ones back to our eyes. That's why we see blue. If the patch were red, it would absorb all light except red, which would then be reflected, so we would see red.
