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What is the wavelength range of yellow light?

Published in Light Wavelength 2 mins read

The wavelength range of yellow light is 570–580 nanometres.

Yellow light is a part of the visible light spectrum, positioned between green and orange. Its specific wavelength range is crucial in determining its color and how we perceive it. The reference specifies that yellow light resides in this precise range: 570–580 nanometres. This positioning places it in the middle of the visible spectrum.

In the realm of art, yellow takes a different conceptual role. It is positioned on the color wheel as a color between orange and green, and directly opposite its complementary color, violet. This distinction shows that the usage of the term "yellow" can vary depending on the context, whether it is scientific or artistic.


Understanding Yellow Light:

To better grasp this concept, consider these key elements:

  • Wavelength: Wavelength is a physical measure of the distance between successive crests of a light wave. Different wavelengths correlate to different colors in the visible spectrum.
  • Visible Spectrum: The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. It ranges from violet to red.
  • Nanometre (nm): A nanometre is a unit of measurement equal to one billionth of a meter, commonly used to express the wavelengths of light.


Wavelength Table:

Here's a simplified table showing the approximate wavelength ranges of the visible light spectrum:

Color Approximate Wavelength Range (nm)
Violet 380–450
Blue 450–495
Green 495–570
Yellow 570–580
Orange 580–620
Red 620–750

The precise range of yellow light is narrow (10 nm), compared to other colors like green, which occupies a much broader range. This characteristic contributes to yellow's distinct appearance in the visual spectrum.

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