Visible Spectrum

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This diagram is about sunlight, the visible spectrum and which wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation correspond with the different colours we see in the world.

The diagram shows that wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum correspond with the different colours we see in the world.

Notice that:

  • The white arrows in the diagram represent the Sun emitting sunlight at every wavelength of the visible spectrum.
  • The term white light is used when all colours of the visible spectrum are mixed together.
  • The coloured arrows represent six bands of wavelengths of visible light corresponding with red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
  • The list on the left shows the range of wavelengths corresponding with each band of colour.
  • The red arrow, for example, corresponds with wavelengths between 700 nanometres and 620 nanometres.
  • Red is the colour an observer sees if any wavelength in that range strikes a neutral coloured surface.
  • The scale along the bottom is marked in nanometres and shows the visible spectrum divided into coloured bands.
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Description

Visible Spectrum

Visible Spectrum

TRY SOME QUICK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO GET STARTED
What is the relationship between wavelength and colour?
The relationship between wavelength and colour is that wavelength is a property of electromagnetic waves whilst human observers see different wavelengths as different colours.
What unit is used to measure wavelength within the visible spectrum?
The unit used to measure the wavelengths of visible light is the nanometre.
What are the colours associated with the visible spectrum?
The visible spectrum is associated with the colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
Does the visible spectrum contain all the wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum?
No! The visible spectrum is just the small part of the electromagnetic spectrum our eyes are tuned to.

About the diagram

About the diagram
  • This diagram is about sunlight, the visible spectrum and which wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation correspond with the different colours we see in the world.
  • The diagram shows that wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum correspond with the different colours we see in the world.
Notice that:
  • The white arrows in the diagram represent the Sun emitting sunlight at every wavelength of the visible spectrum.
  • The term white light is used when all colours of the visible spectrum are mixed together.
  • The coloured arrows represent six bands of wavelengths of visible light corresponding with red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.
  • The list on the left shows the range of wavelengths corresponding with each band of colour.
  • The red arrow, for example, corresponds with wavelengths between 700 nanometres and 620 nanometres.
  • Red is the colour an observer sees if any wavelength in that range strikes a neutral-coloured surface.
  • The scale along the bottom is marked in nanometres and shows the visible spectrum divided into coloured bands.
Remember that:
  • Objects appear to be different colours to an observer depending on their wavelength.
  • The name given to light that contains all wavelengths of the visible spectrum is white light.
  • When all wavelengths contained in white light reflect off a neutral-coloured surface then the object appears white to an observer.
  • When a narrow band of wavelengths reflect off a neutral-coloured surface then the object appears coloured to an observer.
  • The colour an observer sees depends on the wavelengths of visible light emitted by a light source and on which of those wavelengths are reflected off an object.
  • Although a human observer can distinguish between many thousands of wavelengths of light in the visible spectrum our brains often produce the impression of bands of colour.

Some key terms

Nanometre

A nanometre is a unit of measurement of the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. Nanometres are particularly useful when specifying the ...

Colour

Things appear coloured to an observer because colour corresponds with a property of light that is visible to the human ...

Wavelength

Wavelength is a measurement from any point on the path of a wave to the same point on its next ...

Visible light

Visible light is the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation perceived as colour by human observers. Visible light is a ...

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