LIGHT The Color of Light

Light n The world is full of beautify color, but did you know that your eye can only see three colors of light? These colors are red, blue, and green. Why is it that we seem to be able to “see” more colors than we really can?

n In 1600 Isaac Newton carried out a famous experiment. Using a special piece of glass called a prism, he split up sunlight into seven different colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

n The three colors that your eye can see, red, blue, and green, are called the primary colors of light.

n The three colors we get from mixing pairs of primary colors, cyan, magenta, and yellow, are called the secondary colors of light.

n By taking three flashlights and putting red, blue, and green tissue paper over the light, you can mix and match these colors to make other colors.

n In your eye there are some very tiny parts known as cones. They are light detectors and tell you what the color your looking at really is.

n These detectors need light to get them working. At night or in the dark, it is more difficult for us to tell what color an object is.

n Not all animals can see in color. Some, such as cats, see only black, white, and gray. These animals have eyes with rods instead of cones.

n Not all of us see color in the same way. Some people are color-blind. They cannot see the difference between certain colors.

n The paints and dyes that we use to color things are called pigments. We get different colored pigments from the earth or from plants. How do your fingers look after you have eaten raspberries?

n Mixing red and green colored light gives us yellow light. If we mix blue and yellow pigments we get a green colored pigment. At home, take your primary colors and mix them and see what colors you can make.

n Colors are important to animals to keep them camouflaged from their enemies. To camouflage means to blend into the background.

n Sometimes we blend in too well with our surroundings and we can’t be seen very well. This is dangerous if you are trying to cross the street.

n Sometimes animals are brightly colored. Bees and wasps have black and yellow stripes and warn other animals that they are harmful to others.

n Some school crossing guards carry a yellow and black stop sign to warn drivers to stop because black and yellow are so easy to see.

n Color makes an impact on the places we live in. If everything is dull and gray, we feel miserable.

n A nice bright picture helps a house to look more cheerful. Color affects the way we think and feel. It’s a vital part of the world we live in.