An observer perceives bands of colour when visible light separates into its component wavelengths and the human eye distinguishes between different colours.
In the presence of a rainbow, an observer will typically see six bands of colour (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet) rather than a unique colour corresponding with each wavelength.
- When sunlight is dispersed by rain and forms a rainbow, an observer will typically distinguishes red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet bands of colour.
- Although a rainbow contains electromagnetic waves with all possible wavelengths between red and violet, some ranges of wavelengths appear more intense to a human observer than others.
- The phenomenon of perceiving distinct colour bands is typically attributed to the characteristics of human colour vision, or as an artefact of human colour vision.
- There is no property belonging to the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum that that results in the appearance of bands of colour to an observer.
- The visible spectrum is composed of a continuous range of wavelengths between red and violet that produce a continuous range of corresponding colours.
- In experimental situations, human observers can distinguish between spectral colours corresponding with many hundreds of different wavelengths of light.
About colour & visual perception
- Colour is not a property of electromagnetic radiation, but rather a characteristic of visual perception.
- The human eye, and therefore human perception, is sensitive to the range of light wavelengths that constitute the visible spectrum, including the corresponding spectral colours from red to violet.
- Light, however, is rarely of a single wavelength, so when an observer notices a red ball they are probably seeing a range of similar wavelengths of light within the visual spectrum.
- Perception of colour is a subjective process as our eyes respond to stimuli produced by incoming light but each of us responds differently.
About rainbows and bands of colour
- There are several reasons why an observer looking at phenomena like rainbows perceives bands of colour.
- The human perceptual system tends to simplify colour information rather than perceiving a smooth gradient across the spectrum.
- Our eyes respond to colours based on their relative brightness and hue when presented with a portion or the entirety of the visible spectrum.
- Observers tend to search for colours they are familiar with and can recognize and name.
- Cone cells in our eyes are especially sensitive to red, green, and blue wavelengths due to the trichromatic nature (trichromacy) of human vision.
About bands of colour, spectral and non-spectral colours
Bands of colour
- Bands of colour are composed of a continuous range of wavelengths, so for example:
- A continuous range of wavelengths between 750 – 620 nanometres (nm) typically appear red to an observer.
Custom - Wavelengths between 590 – 570 nm will typically appear yellow.
- A continuous range of wavelengths between 450 – 380 nm will typically appear violet.
- A continuous range of wavelengths between 750 – 620 nanometres (nm) typically appear red to an observer.
Spectral colours
- A spectral colour is a colour that is evoked by a single wavelength of light (or narrow band of wavelengths) within the visible spectrum.
- Spectral colours are the colours red to violet.
- Diagrams of the spectral colour model are linear and may show colours selected:
- Using equal and incremental steps in wavelength.
- According to equal and incremental steps in the appearance of colours.
Non-spectral colours
- Non-spectral colours are produced by additive mixtures of wavelengths of light.
- Examples of non-spectral colours produced by two spectral colours are:
- Purple – produced by mixing wavelengths corresponding with red and violet. Red (740nm) and violet (400nm) are at the extreme limits of the visible spectrum.
- Magenta – produced by mixing red (660nm) and blue (490nm).
- Mauve – produced by mixing orange (600nm) and blue (450nm).
- Examples of non-spectral colours produced by three spectral colours are:
- Tints
- Greys
- Shades
- So all achromatic colours are non-spectral colours.
- Whilst both spectral and non-spectral colours are produced by mixing a combination of colours corresponding with different wavelengths of light:
- The RGB colour model produces a full gamut of colours by mixing red, green and blue primary colours in different proportions.
- The CMY colour model produces a full gamut of colours by mixing cyan, magenta and yellow primary colours in different proportions.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
References
- An observer perceives bands of colour when visible light separates into its component wavelengths and the human eye distinguishes between different colours.
- The human eye and brain together translate light into colour.
- When sunlight is dispersed by rain and forms a rainbow, an observer will typically distinguishes red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet bands of colour.
- Although a rainbow contains electromagnetic waves with all possible wavelengths between red and violet, some ranges of wavelengths appear more intense to a human observer than others.