COLOR and LightFebruary 6, 2014
How does light interact with matter?
O Light can interact 3 ways:O 1. reflected – light waves bounce of
objectsO 2. absorbed – light is taken in object
(heated)O 3. transmitted – light passes through
matter
Looking through a window all 3 interactions can be observed
O How?O Seeing through glass (transmitted)O Seeing your reflection in glass
(reflected)O Feeling the heat of the glass
(absorbed)
Transparent, translucent, and opaque, what’s the difference?• Transparent – allows light to pass
through without interferenceEx. Clear glass
• Translucent – transmits light but does not transmit an image
ex. Frosted glass• Opaque – no light transmitted, can
not see throughex. Aluminum foil
How do we see colors?OOur eyes detect wavelengths of
light reflected off objectsOWhite light is made up all
colors of lightOThe color of your shirt is the
color that is being reflected not absorbed
What are the primary colors of light?
OColors of light that when mixed together equally make white light
ORed, Blue and Green lightOMixing of primary colors can
produce all other colors of light
What are the primary pigments of color?
OColors of pigments that can make all other colors
OCyan, Yellow, and MagentaOUsed in printing along with
black to make the colors of photographs
What is diffraction?O Bending of waves around barriers or
through openingsO The greatest amount of diffraction
occurs when the barrier or opening is the same size or smaller than the wavelength