Solve the Mystery: What Does a Red Light Look Like?

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Suppose there was a spherical red light source and that was the only thing that existed. Would your eye see a red ball surrounded by blackness, or would your whole vision be uniformly red, or would you see all red but in decreasing intensity?
 
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  • #2
Have you ever looked at the stars at night...?
 
  • #3
In case you haven't- When you look at the stars at night you see bright lights surrounded by blackness. (Works best far away from city lights- spend a night in the Utah desert some time- it's awesome!)

You would only see "all red but in decreasing intensity" if there were a cloud of something to reflect the light around the source.
 
  • #4
Maybe my question is more biological but, wouldn't light from a sphere come out in every direction and thus hit every part of your eye, assuming there was absoluely no other source of light?
 
  • #5
Yes, if your eye didn't have a lens on it to focus the light.
 
  • #6
I had no notion of a lens (I just looked it up) and didn't understand why everything isn't a blur. Thanks.
 

1. What causes a red light to appear red?

A red light appears red because it has a longer wavelength than other colors of light. This longer wavelength causes the light to be perceived as red by our eyes.

2. Why is a red light used in traffic signals?

A red light is used in traffic signals as it is universally recognized as a symbol for "stop". It is also the most visible color in low light conditions, making it effective for use in traffic signals.

3. How does a red light affect our vision?

A red light has a longer wavelength, which means it is not as easily scattered by particles in the air. This allows our eyes to focus on the red light more easily, making it appear brighter and clearer.

4. Can a red light be seen by people with color blindness?

It depends on the type and severity of the color blindness. Red-green color blindness, the most common type, may have difficulty distinguishing between red and green lights. However, other types of color blindness may not affect the ability to see a red light.

5. How is a red light different from other colors of light?

A red light has the longest wavelength among the visible spectrum of light, which also includes colors like orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. This longer wavelength gives it unique properties, such as being more easily transmitted through certain materials like fog or dust.

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