1. Investigation 21. 3: Subtractive Color Process
Investigation 21.3: Subtractive Color Process Name: _________________________
Purpose: To learn how color is created by light absorption and reflection
White light is made up of all of the colors of the visible spectrum. The color an object appears to be depends on the colors of light it absorbs and reflects.
Mix EQUAL AMOUNTS of the colors of clay together in the combinations listed below. Write the resulting color that you see in Table 1.
Table 1: Data
Cyan + Magenta
Cyan + Yellow
Yellow + Magenta
What color do you see?
When you combine cyan, magenta and yellow in those combinations, the result (the color you see) is the color that is _____________________________. (Table 2 on the back will give you a hint.)
Investigation 21.3: Subtractive Color Process Name: _________________________
Purpose: To learn how color is created by light absorption and reflection
White light is made up of all of the colors of the visible spectrum. The color an object appears to be depends on the colors of light it absorbs and reflects.
Mix EQUAL AMOUNTS of the colors of clay together in the combinations listed below. Write the resulting color that you see in Table 1.
Table 1: Data
Cyan + Magenta
Cyan + Yellow
Yellow + Magenta
What color do you see?
When you combine cyan, magenta and yellow in those combinations, the result (the color you see) is the color that is _____________________________. (Table 2 on the back will give you a hint.)

2. Table 2: The Subtractive Model Table 2: The Subtractive Model
Table 2 shows you which colors are absorbed, and which colors are reflected by cyan, magenta and yellow.
Table 2: The Subtractive Model
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
Absorbs
Red
Green
Blue
Red, Green, Blue
Reflects
Blue, Green
Blue, Red
Red, Green
None
Table 2 shows you which colors are absorbed, and which colors are reflected by cyan, magenta and yellow.
Table 2: The Subtractive Model
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
Absorbs
Red
Green
Blue
Red, Green, Blue
Reflects
Blue, Green
Blue, Red
Red, Green
None

3. Color Combination (Mixing)
Investigation 21.2: Additive Color Model Name: _______________________________
Purpose: To learn how we see color
All of the colors of visible light can be created by combining the three primary colors: red, blue and green.
The MOST IMPORTANT RULE FOR THIS LAB – do not shine the laser in your or anyone’s eye(s) – it can result in pain and vision damage!! Breaking this rule will result in an automatic zero for the lab and end of lab!
Connect the red and green flashlights’ holders so that red and green are side by side.
3. Place the blue flashlight and holder on top of the red and green lights, on its side, so its holder fits between the red and green holders.
4. Put the blue lens in front of the lights so they shine through it, with the slotted side facing up.
5. Put the box on the other side of the lens. Fold the top of the box over to create shade where the lights are shining – you can see the color mixing better this way.
6. Slowly move the lens away from the lights, and toward the box until you see where the red, green and blue overlap.
7. Fill in the colors that result from the color mixing in Table 1.
Table 1
Color Combination (Mixing)
Color You See
Red + Green
Green + Blue
Blue + Red
Red + Green + Blue

4. Questions
According to the lab, why do you believe component cables have three connection?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Suppose you’re wearing a red shirt. If you look at your shirt in a totally dark room, what color would your shirt appear? ________________________________
3. Now suppose you look at your red shirt in a bright room. What color would your shirt appear now? _______________________________
4. Therefore, does the light reaching your eyes from your red shirt actually come from your clothes? If not, from where does it originate? ___________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the difference between the light that reaches your eyes from your shirt, and the light that reaches your eyes from your phone’s screen? __________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

5. Additive Color Process demo Names: _______________________________
Move the slider to shine the light(s) to answer the questions below.
What light(s) do you shine to get the following colors?
Red: Green: Blue:
Yellow: Cyan (green-blue): Magenta (pink):
White : Orange: Brown:
Additive Color Process demo Names: _______________________________
Move the slider to shine the light(s) to answer the questions below.
What light(s) do you shine to get the following colors?
Red: Green: Blue:
Yellow: Cyan (green-blue): Magenta (pink):
White : Orange: Brown: