Understanding the Science Behind Colour: Explained Simply

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In summary, colour is the visible light that is absorbed and reflected by different materials, based on the energy levels of their atoms and molecules. This is due to the behaviour of electrons orbiting the atoms, which can absorb or emit photons of light at specific, fixed energies. Each type of atom and molecule has different energy levels, resulting in the absorption and emission of different colours. Additionally, the brain plays a role in how we perceive colour based on the wavelengths detected by our eyes. The fine structure of light radiators further supports the idea that electrons in atoms are jumping between defined energy levels.
  • #1
FeDeX_LaTeX
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Hi,

I'm confused about what should really be a simple explanation. What is colour? I've been told that it is because different materials absorb and reflect different colours of light (i.e. different wavelengths between 380 and 740 nm, the spectrum of visible light), but what gives a material this property to absorb and reflect light? In terms of the particles, why is this the case?

Thanks
 
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Orbiting the atoms are electrons, if you put in a photon (of light) you give energy to an electron and it moves up to a higher level, absorbing (destroying the photon). Similarly an electron can give off a photon by dropping to a lower level.

The trick is that only certain levels are allowed, and so only fixed differences in energy, and so fixed energies (=wavelength) of photons.
Each type of atom, and molecule has different energies and so absorbs and emits different colours.

Then your brain has a lot to do with what colour you see when you eye detects certain wavelengths.
 
  • #3
mgb_phys said:
Orbiting the atoms are electrons, if you put in a photon (of light) you give energy to an electron and it moves up to a higher level, absorbing (destroying the photon). Similarly an electron can give off a photon by dropping to a lower level.

The trick is that only certain levels are allowed, and so only fixed differences in energy, and so fixed energies (=wavelength) of photons.
Each type of atom, and molecule has different energies and so absorbs and emits different colours.

Then your brain has a lot to do with what colour you see when you eye detects certain wavelengths.

This answers the inquiry pretty well, but I'd also like to add that radiators of light possesses what's called a 'fine structure', which is the very narrow band of energy levels the electron drops back down to. The fact that electromatic radiators do so discreetly (why else would there be a fine structure? In other words, why else would an E/M radiator radiate such a narrow band of freequencies?) all but proves that there is electron activity in the atom whereby the electron of the atom is jumping up and back down defined and discreet energy levels.
 

What is colour?

Colour is the visual perception of different wavelengths of light. It is a property of an object or substance that is determined by the way it reflects or emits light.

How do we see colour?

We see colour through our eyes, specifically through the cells in our retina called cones. These cones are sensitive to different wavelengths of light and send signals to our brain, which then interprets the signals as different colours.

What is the difference between light and pigment?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is made up of different wavelengths, which correspond to different colours. Pigment, on the other hand, is a substance that absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. This is why objects appear to have different colours - because they absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others.

Why do we perceive different colours?

Different wavelengths of light correspond to different colours, so when we see an object, we are actually seeing the wavelengths of light that are being reflected off of it. Our brains then interpret these wavelengths as different colours based on the signals received from the cones in our eyes.

Can colours be created or changed?

Colours can be created or changed by manipulating the wavelengths of light that reach our eyes. This can be done through mixing different pigments, using filters, or using different light sources. However, the colours we perceive are ultimately determined by our brains, so they can also be influenced by factors such as lighting, context, and individual differences in perception.

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