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.
Description
Visible Spectrum
Visible Spectrum
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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
Colour
Wavelength
Visible light
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