A continuous spectrum, emitted by a light source such as the Sun, consists of a continuum of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation across the visible spectrum.
- A continuous spectrum of light is produced by a light source that emits photons over a continuous range of wavelengths.
- A continuous spectrum of colours is produced when they are displayed in order of their corresponding wavelengths.
- Sunlight is composed of the continuous spectrum of colours that make up the visible spectrum with red at one end and violet at the other.
- White light must be dispersed by a prism or a raindrop if its component colours are to be visible to an observer.
- The spectral colour model displays colours arranged according to wavelength so in the form of a strip with red at one end and violet at the other.
- The colours produced by the RBG colour model and the CMY colour model are displayed in the form of a colour wheel rather than a strip of colours.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
