TVs create the color yellow by combining red and green light.
On a television screen, colors are produced by tiny red, green, and blue (RGB) sub-pixels that light up. By varying the intensity of these three primary colors of light, a vast spectrum of colors can be generated. This method is known as additive color mixing.
The Magic of Additive Color
Unlike mixing paints (subtractive color mixing), where colors absorb light, mixing light adds wavelengths together. TVs leverage this principle:
- Red light + Green light = Yellow light
- Red light + Blue light = Magenta light
- Green light + Blue light = Cyan light
- Red light + Green light + Blue light = White light
- Turning all lights off = Black
How Yellow Appears on Screen
When a TV needs to display something yellow, it activates the red and green sub-pixels for that specific part of the screen. The light emitted from the red and green pixels mixes together before it reaches your eyes, and your brain interprets this mixture as yellow.
Here's a simple breakdown:
- Each pixel is composed of three sub-pixels: Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B).
- To make yellow, the TV's processor sends a signal to turn on the R and G sub-pixels for the required pixels.
- The intensity of the R and G sub-pixels can be adjusted to create different shades of yellow. For example, a brighter yellow might require higher intensity from both, while a darker shade might use less.
Examples of Color Creation
Let's look at how some other colors mentioned in the reference are made using the RGB system:
| Color | Red Pixel | Green Pixel | Blue Pixel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | On | On | Off |
| Magenta | On | Off | On |
| White | On | On | On |
| Black | Off | Off | Off |
This additive process, using just red, green, and blue light sources, allows modern televisions to reproduce millions of different colors, bringing vibrant images to life right in your living room.
