How are spectra and color related?
The mix of photon colors that reach our eyes determines what colors we see. We'll learn how to follow a source of light along its path to our eyes and consider how its spectrum relates to the color we see.Color Predictions from Spectra
Spectrum Tool.
- For each Object A - E, use the dropdown menu to view its spectrum.
- Based on the visible part of each spectrum, predict the color you would see if you viewed the object under the same lighting conditions as when the spectrum was taken.
Simulation.
- Use the PhET Color Vision "RGB Bulbs" tool to recall how different light colors mix. (Double-click on the RGB Bulbs box to launch the simulation.)
Note: The simulation is not a perfect proxy for what you would see in real life, because it does not include all colors that exist in the visible spectrum. You can still approximate the colors you would see by adjusting the percentages for R, G, and B to roughly match the brightness of the light (shown on the y-axis) for each band of color in the spectrum.
Spectrum Notebook.
- Write your predictions in the table in your Spectrum Notebook.
Brightness 