Peoples Physics Concepts

http://www.ck12.org Chapter 16. Light

Example 1

Question: In a dark room a blue light is shined on a magenta shirt what color does it appear? How about a yellow

shirt?

Answer: Since magenta is the combination of red and blue and only blue light is available to be reflected, the shirt

will appear blue. As for the yellow shirt, there is no blue light in yellow (yellow is the combination of red and

green), thus the shirt will appear black since no light is reflected off it.

Watch this Explanation

MEDIA

Click image to the left for use the URL below.

URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/342

Simulation

Color Vision (PhET Simulation)

Explore More

1. Consult the color table for human perception under the ’Key Concepts’ section and answer the questions which
   follow.
   a. Your coat looks magenta in white light. What color does it appear in blue light? In green light?
   b. Which secondary color would look black under a blue light bulb?
   c. You look at a cyan-colored ribbon under white light. Which of the three primary colors is your eyenot
   detecting?