Visible Light
Wave Model of Light A model is a way for scientists to explain what they see The Wave Model of Light pictures light travelling as waves Light = wave = transfers energy
Why do we see a rainbow? Light can bend = refract How much light can bend depends on its wavelength
Why do we see a rainbow? A beam of light contains all the colours of the rainbow All of the colours have different wavelengths
Why do we see a rainbow? Which colour has the longest wavelength? Which colour has the shortest wavelength? Which colour has the highest frequency? Which colour has the lowest frequency?
How do we see a rainbow? A prism is used to separate the colours The different angles of the walls cause the bending of light
How do we see colours? Reflection occurs when a light wave strikes an object and bounces off Some colours are reflected (and seen) and other colours are absorbed Eureka!
How do we see colours? Only three colours are needed to produce all the colours of the rainbow! Primary colours of light – Red, Blue, Green Different from primary colours of paint When combined together, produce the secondary colours of light – yellow, cyan and magenta
How do we see colours? Blue + Green = Cyan Green + Red = Yellow Red + Blue = Magenta